Talk to Expert
Date: 26th October 2025
Time: 7:00 PM IST
Mode: Online – Live
Speaker: Mr. Ankit Trivedi, Lead – Incubation & Acceleration Centre, ICAT (Ministry of Heavy Industries, India)
Host: DIYguru
Introduction
The DIYguru Masterclass on “Navigating the Mobility Ecosystem” held on 26th October 2025 featured Mr. Ankit Trivedi, Lead of the Incubation & Acceleration Centre at ICAT (International Centre for Automotive Technology) — India’s premier automotive R&D and certification agency under the Ministry of Heavy Industries.
This interactive session was part of DIYguru’s ongoing masterclass series that brings together industry leaders to share real-world perspectives on the EV and automotive ecosystem, bridging the gap between learning, application, and innovation.
Session Guidelines and Engagement
The session began with a brief introduction to the DIYguru masterclass series. Participants were asked to mute microphones and disable cameras to maintain focus. A Q&A segment was scheduled for the end of the session.
Attendees joined from across India — Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Delhi, and also from international locations such as Malaysia and Nepal — reflecting the global interest in India’s evolving mobility ecosystem.
Masterclass Overview
The topic, “Navigating the Mobility Ecosystem: Real-World Roles, Skills, and Growth Journey,” explored how professionals can identify their place within the rapidly changing automotive landscape. The discussion revolved around:
- Roles across the automotive and EV value chain
- Emerging startup and innovation opportunities
- The importance of frugal engineering
- Skill evolution and career development in mobility technology
- India’s strategic positioning as an EV innovation hub
ICAT’s Role and Industry Context
Mr. Trivedi introduced ICAT’s role as India’s central automotive R&D and certification agency, supporting the government in policy formation, testing, homologation, and regulatory compliance. ICAT also represents India in global automotive forums like UNC WP29, ensuring international alignment of standards.
Drawing on his 15+ years of experience, he explained ICAT’s expansion into innovation acceleration and incubation to promote indigenous EV technologies and reduce import dependency through initiatives like the PLI scheme and PME Drive.
India’s Mobility Ecosystem: Roles, Opportunities, and Skills
Mr. Trivedi outlined the interconnected structure of India’s e-mobility ecosystem, spanning multiple roles:
Role Category | Functions | Growth Opportunities |
Technicians | Vehicle assembly, maintenance, diagnostics | Hands-on roles in EV manufacturing and service |
Engineers & Researchers | R&D, design, prototyping, testing | Core system development and simulation |
Entrepreneurs | EV startups, charging, retrofits | Scalable ventures and innovation platforms |
Academics & Students | Learning, research, and skill building | Industry-integrated upskilling opportunities |
He noted that rapid product cycles now allow startups to compete with legacy OEMs, fueling India’s growth as an innovation-led mobility market.
Frugal Innovation: India’s Competitive Edge
The concept of frugal innovation was highlighted as India’s biggest strategic advantage. Mr. Trivedi clarified that while “jugaad” implies improvisation, true frugal innovation adheres to engineering discipline and cost efficiency.
Examples included:
- EV conversions and retrofits that retain asset value
- Development of ferrite-based motors to replace rare earth materials
- Localized manufacturing to mitigate supply chain risks (e.g., semiconductors during COVID-19)
Such innovations make EVs more accessible and sustainable, aligning with India’s goal of self-reliant mobility.
Battery, Business, and Payment Models
The discussion addressed Battery as a Service (BaaS) and battery swapping as innovative financial and operational models to make EVs affordable.
These models, Mr. Trivedi emphasized, will drive adoption by minimizing upfront costs for consumers while improving ecosystem efficiency.
Localized battery R&D and recycling plants were identified as critical to building a sustainable EV value chain.
Skill Enhancement and Career Development
Mr. Trivedi stressed that the half-life of technical skills in mobility is shrinking — meaning knowledge must be updated frequently.
He highlighted the importance of:
- Online and hands-on workshops
- Industry-academia collaboration
- Project-based learning platforms like DIYguru
These bridges, he noted, are vital for ensuring that graduates are industry-ready in domains like embedded systems, EV diagnostics, and battery management.
Entrepreneurship and Incubation in E-Mobility
Mr. Trivedi shared insights from his experience establishing ICAT’s Incubation & Acceleration Centre, which has supported multiple startups developing:
- Axial flux motors
- Automated battery sorting machines
- Wheelchair docking platforms
- Two-wheeler EV platforms
He emphasized that entrepreneurship in the mobility space goes beyond founding companies — it also includes intrapreneurship, where professionals innovate within existing organizations.
For aspiring entrepreneurs, he explained the incubation roadmap, from proof of concept to minimum viable product (MVP), and stressed the importance of articulating technical readiness, intellectual property, and funding needs clearly.
Challenges and Opportunities for India’s EV Future
India’s biggest challenges include:
- High upfront costs
- Limited charging infrastructure
- Skill shortages and lack of awareness
Yet, opportunities abound — India can become a global EV component exporter, a battery recycling leader, and a green job hub by 2030.
Future Technologies and Smart Mobility Trends
Key upcoming trends discussed:
- Solid-state batteries and alternate chemistries supported by PLI initiatives
- Ultrafast charging and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology for grid stability
- Predictive maintenance powered by onboard diagnostics and AI
- Fleet electrification, shared mobility, and autonomous vehicles for smart cities
- Integration of IoT and telematics for connected, intelligent mobility solutions
Bridging the Skill Gap in E-Mobility
Mr. Trivedi identified urgent skill gaps in:
- Auto cybersecurity and data safety
- Functional safety and standards compliance
- Advanced motor and power electronics design
- Battery chemistry (solid-state, NMC)
- ADAS and autonomous vehicle systems (up to Level 4)
He encouraged participants to focus on multi-domain expertise to stay competitive in this fast-evolving sector.
Career Guidance and Call to Action
The masterclass concluded with a motivational call for learners to:
- Identify their place within the e-mobility ecosystem.
- Build strong foundations in relevant technical skills.
- Collaborate across disciplines to solve real-world problems.
Participants were invited to continue their journey by enrolling in DIYguru’s specialized programs and consulting opportunities:
Advance Your EV Career:
Modeling in ADAS & AUTOSAR for EV Systems – IIT Certified Program
Get Expert Career Consultation:
https://diyguru.org/get-a-consultation/
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What was the core focus of this masterclass?
The session explored career pathways, innovation opportunities, and skill evolution in India’s growing EV and automotive ecosystem.
2. What is ICAT’s role in India’s mobility sector?
ICAT serves as India’s apex automotive R&D and certification agency, supporting testing, regulations, and innovation for the Ministry of Heavy Industries.
3. What did the speaker mean by “frugal innovation”?
Frugal innovation focuses on cost-effective engineering solutions that follow rigorous design principles, unlike temporary improvisation or “jugaad.”
4. How can entrepreneurs benefit from ICAT’s incubation programs?
ICAT supports startups at different maturity levels — from concept validation to MVP development — offering technical expertise and funding support.
5. What are India’s major opportunities in EV growth?
India can emerge as a global exporter of EV components, a leader in battery recycling, and a hub for green technology employment.
6. What future technologies were discussed?
The session covered solid-state batteries, V2G systems, ADAS Level 4 automation, IoT, and predictive maintenance.
7. How can learners prepare for mobility industry careers?
By focusing on embedded systems, power electronics, cybersecurity, and ADAS, and enrolling in specialized programs such as DIYguru’s IIT-certified ADAS & AUTOSAR course.