Powering the Future: The EV Industry’s Need for 200,000 Skilled Tech Professionals by 2030
- Chinmay
- March 4, 2025
- Artificial Intelligence, Automotive, Machine Learning
- AI in mobility, electric vehicle technology, Electric Vehicles, Embedded Systems, EV industry, EV jobs, future of transportation, green energy, IoT in EVs, machine learning in EV, smart mobility, sustainable mobility
- 0 Comments
Sustainability and green energy are revolutionizing India’s energy transition, ushering in a transformative era focused on reducing carbon footprints and adopting cleaner, more sustainable alternatives. While the nation has made remarkable strides in broadening energy access, the path toward a truly sustainable future requires continuous enhancement of energy infrastructure and diversification of fuel sources.
As part of its ambitious pledge to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070, India aims to derive 50% of its energy needs from renewable sources by 2030, slashing projected carbon emissions by an estimated one billion tonnes. This essential green transition represents a defining strategy for securing India’s future economic and environmental prosperity.
The Role of EVs in India’s Green Transition
Electric vehicles (EVs) are at the forefront of this transformation, playing a critical role in decarbonizing India’s transportation sector. With an anticipated year-on-year growth of 45-50%, the EV market is poised to become a ₹20 trillion industry by 2030, positioning itself as a cornerstone of sustainable mobility. Government milestones aim to electrify:
- 70% of commercial vehicles
- 30% of private cars
- 80% of two- and three-wheelers by 2030
However, for this EV revolution to succeed in the long term, India must invest in workforce development, skilling programs, and technological innovation. The industry faces a major challenge: the demand for over 200,000 skilled professionals by 2030 across manufacturing, technology, after-sales services, and critical supporting functions such as charging infrastructure and maintenance. Addressing this talent shortage is pivotal to the sustainable growth of India’s EV ecosystem.
Bridging the EV Industry’s Skills Gap
To stay globally competitive, India’s workforce must undergo continuous upskilling and reskilling to meet the evolving needs of the EV sector. According to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), the industry will require between 100,000 to 200,000 skilled professionals by 2030 to meet the government’s ambitious 30% EV adoption target.
Currently, India produces 15,000–30,000 EV-ready workers annually, but the sector faces a 40-45% skills gap in critical areas like battery technology, software development, and EV manufacturing. The establishment of 60+ R&D centers and curriculum overhauls have become imperative to bridge this gap and prepare the workforce for future demands.
The EV revolution is set to generate 10 million direct jobs and 50 million indirect jobs by 2030 across the entire EV value chain, from manufacturing and assembly to software development, charging infrastructure, and maintenance. High-demand technical roles include:
- Battery Engineers & Electrochemical Experts – Specialists in battery chemistry, energy storage, and BMS (Battery Management Systems).
- Power Electronics Engineers – Experts in motor controllers, DC-DC converters, and powertrain development.
- Embedded Systems Developers – Professionals skilled in microcontroller programming, firmware development, and low-power optimization.
- AI & ML Specialists – Experts in autonomous driving, predictive maintenance, and data analytics.
- IoT & Cloud Experts – Professionals integrating connectivity and cloud-based vehicle analytics.
To address these challenges, structured skilling programs, curriculum updates, and apprenticeships are necessary to support the EV manufacturing ecosystem and ensure India’s leadership in the global EV revolution.
Tech Skills Driving the EV Industry
The EV industry is rapidly evolving, requiring specialized expertise across IoT, Embedded Systems, AI/ML, and Data Science. Below is an overview of the key competencies in these fields:
- Embedded Systems in EVs
Embedded systems are crucial for controlling and optimizing EV functions, such as battery management, motor control, and vehicle diagnostics. Essential skills include:
- Embedded Systems Programming – Writing firmware to control EV components efficiently.
- Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS) – Implementing RTOS for safety-critical applications.
- Low-Power Design & Energy Optimization – Reducing power consumption for extended battery life.
- IoT in Electric Vehicles
IoT technologies enhance connectivity, safety, and real-time monitoring in EVs, enabling remote diagnostics and predictive maintenance. Key skills include:
- Networking & Communication Protocols – Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, and LoRaWAN for real-time vehicle communication.
- Edge Computing – Onboard processing to reduce cloud dependency and improve decision-making.
- Cybersecurity – Protecting EVs from cyber threats and unauthorized access.
- AI & ML for Smart EVs
AI and ML are transforming EVs through autonomous driving, fleet optimization, and predictive analytics. Key competencies include:
- Machine Learning Algorithms – Developing models for energy optimization and predictive maintenance.
- Computer Vision – Lane detection, object recognition, and safety monitoring.
- Data Analytics – Extracting insights from EV-generated data to enhance performance and user experience.
- Data Science in the EV Ecosystem
The rise of connected EVs has led to a surge in data-driven decision-making. Data science plays a crucial role in:
- Big Data Analytics – Processing large-scale vehicle data to identify efficiency improvements.
- Statistical Analysis – Ensuring reliable predictions in battery performance and energy usage.
- Data Visualization – Creating insights to improve fleet management and user experience.
