In a rapidly evolving and diversifying market like India, Skoda’s line-up has strictly been limited to petrol models since 2020, with the share of petrol itself shrinking and making up less than 50 percent of the overall car market. The Czech carmaker is now finally looking to diversify, having announced an aggressive CNG plan, a return to diesel with the Superb, and even EVs in limited batches of fully imported models. However, a locally made electric offering is still crucially missing. Autocar India understands that this gap is expected to be finally addressed in 2028 with a locally produced model.
India-made Skoda EV details
Having announced a fresh barrage of products, Skoda has now moved on to what it is internally referring to as the India 3.0 programme. The programme is expected to support a CNG-powered Kylaq in 2027 and two locally manufactured battery electric vehicles starting in 2028 – the first will be a 5-seater, followed by a 7-seater at a later stage.
“We know we have to do electric, so we are now thinking about what would be the best option for an electric car in India,” Martin Jahn, Skoda Auto board member for sales and marketing, told Autocar India on the sidelines of the updated Slavia’s launch.
While Jahn did not disclose specific details about the EVs, as we’ve reported previously, the EV programme is likely to use an adaptation of the Volkswagen Group’s China Main Platform, or CMP. The version being developed for India is referred to as the India Main Platform, or IMP, and will be tailored to local costs and market requirements.
The group intends to leverage an existing electric architecture while localising the platform, battery system and key components. A high level of localisation will be essential to price the models competitively in the country’s mainstream EV market. Speaking to Autocar India, Skoda India brand director Ashish Gupta acknowledged, “The volume EVs are going to come when there is localisation, and that is something which we are working on heavily.”
Where will the investment for the new EVs come from?
That’s the most important question, with new investment key to designing, developing and engineering Skoda’s locally made EVs. We understand the carmaker is close to finalising its next phase of investment in India. While the company hasn’t officially disclosed the size or structure of the proposed investment, sources say it could be around a billion euros.
Skoda is examining different ways to fund and execute the EV programme, including bringing in a strategic partner. As reported, Skoda Auto Volkswagen India is in the final stages of discussions for an alliance with the JSW Group. The proposed structure is likely to give the Indian conglomerate a majority stake and bring in the much-needed capital for the EV programme.
The discussions have yet to reach a formal conclusion, and the final structure and scope of the proposed alliance are still to be announced. Skoda Auto Volkswagen India is also examining other funding routes if the partnership does not materialise.
With inputs from Hormazd Sorabjee
Dipan Sur
Dhruv Dhaka
Viraaj Bhatnagar
