Archive · 10 Sep 2026
India’s EV Push Could Create Millions of Jobs Through Batteries
India is trying to produce and use more electric vehicles.
A new report says this change could create many jobs and increase economic activity.
The report describes three possible paths for India through 2040.
The most ambitious path could generate $620.5 billion in yearly EV-related output by 2040.
Direct EV-manufacturing jobs could grow from about 90,000 in 2024 to more than seven million if batteries are made fully in India.
Other jobs in transport, finance, trade and services could add about 17.3 million more positions.
Batteries are important because electric vehicles need them and making them in India keeps more work inside the country.
India’s battery demand could rise sharply as more people buy electric vehicles.
Domestic battery-cell capacity is currently about 1.4 GWh, but announced projects could increase it to around 128 GWh.
The International Council on Clean Transportation projects India’s EV-linked economic output could reach $620.5 billion annually by 2040 under the Viksit Bharat pathway.
Direct EV-manufacturing jobs could increase from about 90,000 in 2024 to 4.3 million by 2040 with limited battery localisation.
Full domestic battery manufacturing could raise direct EV employment to more than seven million by 2040.
Indirect employment in logistics, trade, finance and services could reach about 17.3 million, taking total EV-related jobs beyond 20 million.
Battery demand could grow from about 12 GWh in 2024 to 480 GWh by 2040, while announced projects could lift domestic cell capacity to around 128 GWh.
- Who
- The International Council on Clean Transportation and India’s electric-vehicle and battery industries.
- What
- A report projects major growth in India’s EV-related economic output, battery demand and employment through 2040.
- When
- The projections cover 2024 through 2040, with an intermediate battery-demand estimate for 2032.
- Where
- India.
- Why
- Faster EV adoption and greater domestic battery manufacturing could increase economic output, create jobs and retain more value within India.
- Projected 2040 output
- $620.5 billion annually under the aligned-with-Viksit Bharat scenario
- Business as Usual output
- $172.1 billion annually by 2040
- Industry Commitment output
- $506.1 billion annually by 2040
- Direct EV jobs
- About 4.3 million by 2040 with little battery localisation; 7.2 million with full localisation
- Indirect EV jobs
- About 17.3 million by 2040
- Battery demand
- Projected to rise from about 12 GWh in 2024 to 480 GWh in 2040
- Domestic battery capacity
- About 1.4 GWh currently, potentially rising to around 128 GWh through announced projects