Valeo Pune: Electrifying mobility in India

Key Takeaways

• Valeo Pune plays a central role in India’s EV journey, manufacturing innovative components for two-wheelers, three-wheelers and passenger cars.
• The facility’s recent expansion and its sustainability initiatives reflect Valeo’s vision for cleaner mobility.
• With the boom of the Indian EV market, Valeo is well-positioned to be a major player in the nation’s electric mobility revolution.

In recent years, China has garnered all the buzz for its explosive growth in electric vehicle sales. But neighboring India is also on the road to accelerate EV adoption. As the world’s most populous country, the potential for the electric car market revolution in the region is enormous.

EVs accounted for approximately 5% of India’s total vehicle sales in 2023, and this figure is expected to soar. By 2030, the market is projected to grow nearly by 30%, driven by enthusiastic adoption of electrified two-wheelers and the emblematic three-wheel tuk-tuk, which made up nearly half of all EV sales. Electric SUV models are also increasingly hitting Indian roads.

As a global leader in electric powertrain technologies, equipping one in three new vehicles, Valeo has a major role to play in meeting this rapidly growing demand in India. At its plant in Pune, Maharashtra, Valeo manufactures a range of EV technologies for local automakers such as Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra, equipping two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and SUVs.

“Transitioning to electric mobility in India is vital for reducing carbon emissions, particularly in urban areas,” says Jayakumar G., Group President and Managing Director of Valeo India. “As a global leader in vehicle electrification, Valeo collaborates with automakers worldwide. We are proud to be a trusted partner to Indian automakers, driving the shift toward cleaner mobility. By increasing localisation, we are better positioned to meet the growing demands of our customers and support sustainable development in the region.”

The Pune facility works closely with Valeo’s R&D center in Chennai to develop groundbreaking EV solutions. Key EV components manufactured at the Pune plant include:

• DC-DC Converters: Essential for efficient energy conversion.
• Onboard Chargers: Critical for convenient EV charging.
• Inverters: Powering the heart of electric vehicles.
• 48V eAccess: Designed specifically for light three- and four-wheelers.
• 48V iBSG: A high-performance solution for two-wheelers.

Valeo Pune is a great example of the site’s adaptability and innovation. Established in 2007, the plant initially specialized in mechanical and electrical engineering for starters and motors and produced components for internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. It continues to manufacture powertrain components for ICE vehicles, but over time, it has also evolved to become a center of excellence in high-voltage systems, power electronics, embedded systems for EVs, and quality testing.

“Since the beginning, Valeo Pune has been on a journey of constant expansion and evolution,” says Nitin Chaudhary, General Manager at the Valeo Pune plant. “Especially in the last three years, we have seen exponential growth due to rapid vehicle electrification in the Indian market. The journey has not been just about the growth, but also about launching more innovative and technologically advanced products, along with upskilling employees and continuing to enhance customer satisfaction.”

Today, the facility employs over 1,000 people, including 200 skilled engineers, and is preparing to double its engineering team by 2029 to meet increasing demand. The plant recently underwent an impressive 7,000 sq.mt. expansion to ramp up production capacity, primarily for the Valeo 3-in-1 combo unit, an innovative component that integrates the onboard charger, DC-DC converter, and power distribution unit. The plant will also produce the high-voltage eAxle for Mahindra SUVs.

In addition to producing technologies that reduce vehicular carbon emissions, the plant is also making investments to improve its own carbon footprint. The site recently installed a 900 kW solar panel rooftop on the original facility, which covers nearly 25% of the site’s energy needs. The plant has planned a 700 kW installation for the new structure.

The electrification of India’s mobility sector has the potential to drastically transform its urban environments. Cities like New Delhi, which consistently rank among the world’s most polluted, could see significant improvements in air quality with reduced vehicular emissions through mass adoption of EVs. Additionally, the adoption of EVs could help curb noise pollution from motors in India’s densely populated areas.

By combining cutting-edge technology with sustainability efforts, Valeo Pune exemplifies how global expertise can support local markets to achieve transformative change that benefits everyone.