Industry Consortium LEAF Launched To Boost EV Charging Ecosystem

D. Kumaraswamy, Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises. Focus on Charging Infrastructure and Interoperability LEAF aims to bring together key stakeholders across the EV value chain, including original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), charging infrastructure operators, suppliers, component manufacturers, and technology providers, to support the development of a robust and accessible charging network. The consortium will work in coordination with government and regulatory bodies, as well as industry associations, to facilitate knowledge exchange and align infrastructure development with policy frameworks. A key focus area for the forum will be improving interoperability across charging networks, enhancing reliability, and ensuring a consistent user experience. Standardisation Efforts Gain Momentum The initiative also seeks to support interoperability standards such as the Light Electric Combined Charging System (LECCS), approved by the Bureau of Indian Standards. The system enables both slow and fast charging through a combined AC/DC ‘Type 7’ connector, facilitating unified communication and roaming across networks. Founding Members and Industry Participation LEAF has been formed through a Memorandum of Understanding between Hero MotoCorp, Ather Energy, and IPEC India. These founding members will serve as part of the initial steering committee. At its launch, the forum brought together over 20 organisations from across the light electric vehicle ecosystem, including vehicle manufacturers, charge point operators, suppliers, and software providers. The consortium plans to expand its membership further in the coming months. Addressing Charging Challenges Kausalya Nandakumar, Chief Business Officer (CBO), Hero MotoCorp along with Ravneet Phokela, CBO, Ather Energy and Zohra Khan, CEO, IPEC India collectively noted that while EV adoption in India is gaining momentum, challenges such as fragmented charging networks and inconsistent user experiences remain key barriers. They emphasised that improving interoperability and creating a seamless charging ecosystem will be critical to addressing ‘charging anxiety’ and enabling the next phase of EV growth in the country. The launch of LEAF reflects growing industry collaboration to support India’s transition to electric mobility, with a focus on scalable infrastructure, standardisation, and improved user experience in the light EV segment. (KNN Bureau)