North Karnataka industrial ecosystem can grow by catering to electric vehicle value chain

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Dignitaries at the Developing Regional Industrial Value Chains for Electric Vehicles workshop organised jointly by WRI India in association with Karnatak Chamber of Commerce and Industry and others in Hubballi on August 18, 2026. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

The Hubballi-Dharwad-Belagavi region has the potential to emerge as a major industrial and logistics hub by leveraging the rapid growth of the electric vehicle (EV) sector , Sanjay Alamelkar, Associate Vice-President, JSW, said in Hubballi on August 18.

Speaking at the DRIVE HDB (Developing Regional Industrial Value Chains for Electric Vehicles) workshop, organised jointly by WRI India, the Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), and the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission, Mr. Alamelkar said there was a need to build a strong regional industrial value chain by bringing together industries, MSMEs, start-ups, and local suppliers.

“The EV sector is not confined to vehicle manufacturing. It is creating opportunities in batteries, electric motors, power electronics, charging infrastructure, components and allied services. Greater participation of local industries in the EV manufacturing and supply chain will help attract investments, and create employment opportunities,” he said.

He called upon small and medium enterprises to adopt new technologies, and strengthen their manufacturing capabilities to meet the requirements of the emerging EV industry.

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Mr. Alamelkar said north Karnataka had the land, skilled manpower, industrial infrastructure, and transport connectivity required for industrial growth. “There is an opportunity to convert these strengths into a comprehensive EV industrial ecosystem,” he said.

He stressed the need for collaboration among industry, government, educational institutions, and research organisations to create a competitive and sustainable value chain.

The workshop was aimed at developing the Hubballi–Dharwad–Belagavi (HDB) region as a major centre for EV manufacturing and component supply. Representatives of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), industries, MSMEs, startups, technology providers, government departments, and skill development institutions participated in the event.

KCCI President G.K. Adappagoudar said, “EV sector should not be viewed merely as a change in the mode of transportation but as an industrial transformation that could create new industries, technologies, supply chains and employment opportunities.

“The EV sector should be viewed as a major opportunity for industrial development in north Karnataka. The Hubballi–Dharwad–Belagavi region has the potential to emerge as a major centre for EV manufacturing and component supply.”

Mr.