New Delhi: In a major push to accelerate electric vehicle (EV) adoption in India, Maruti Suzuki has launched a nationwide training initiative focused on high-voltage EV and hybrid vehicle systems. As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts, the company has introduced a specialised curriculum at 130 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across 24 states and 4 Union Territories.
With an investment of approximately ₹3.9 crore, the auto major aims to equip more than 4,100 second-year ITI students annually with the skills required to safely and efficiently service high-voltage systems in battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and strong hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). The first cohort of certified students is expected to be job-ready by September 2025.
The program aligns with the Government’s net-zero carbon ambitions and addresses a critical bottleneck in EV adoption—after-sales service readiness. According to the company, a key consumer concern around EVs remains the availability of trained technicians for reliable maintenance and support.
“When we researched the reasons for low adoption of EVs, one of the major hurdles in the minds of the customers was confidence in after-sales support. Incidentally, this is an area of strength for Maruti Suzuki,” said Rahul Bharti, Senior Executive Officer, Corporate Affairs, Maruti Suzuki.
“While 90% of EV sales happen in 100 cities, we will go 10x and cover 1,000 cities with more than 1,500 workshops equipped to provide service support to BEVs. The fundamental to good service is a trained technician,” he added.
The training module, developed in-house by Maruti Suzuki, covers core topics such as EV and HEV fundamentals, high-voltage safety protocols, use of specialised tools and equipment, and system maintenance best practices. The company is also investing in train-the-trainer programs to ensure ITI faculty are upskilled and prepared to lead future cohorts.
Significantly, Maruti Suzuki is making the program open-ended—trained technicians will have the option to join the company’s own service network or work with other original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), contributing to the broader growth of India’s EV ecosystem.
The company emphasised that the curriculum’s design also benefits hybrid vehicle servicing, ensuring a synergy that supports multiple green technologies as India’s automobile industry evolves.
This initiative marks another milestone in Maruti Suzuki’s long-term commitment to skill development and sustainable mobility, reinforcing the idea that EV expansion must be supported by strong infrastructure, both physical and human.
