New Delhi, September 05, 2025: Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India (MBRDI) and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) have published a first-of-its-kind whitepaper on skilling for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, highlighting key gaps and opportunities in preparing India’s workforce for the country’s transition to clean mobility.
The whitepaper, “EV Charging in India: Ecosystem Perspectives and Skilling Opportunities”, was released at the Mercedes-Benz Sustainability Dialogue India 2025. It identifies the shortage of hands-on training, the absence of standardized training modules, and a lack of qualified trainers as major barriers in building capacity among charge point operators (CPOs), who play a critical role in operating and maintaining charging infrastructure.
Based on consultations with 150 experts across the EV value chain, the study notes that nearly 50% of skill requirements for CPOs lie in installation and testing of charging infrastructure and IoT-enabled applications, followed by troubleshooting faults, optimizing service quality, and integrating with smart grids.
To address these challenges, MBRDI and TERI have launched the Future-In-Charge programme under Mercedes-Benz’s Sustainability Garage initiative. The NCVET-approved curriculum, endorsed by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), blends classroom learning with experiential training. It covers electric mobility basics, battery technology, installation, operations, and safety practices.
Speaking at the launch, Manu Saale, Managing Director and CEO, Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India, said, “Sustainability goes beyond technology; it is about people. With Future-In-Charge, we are not only bridging the skills gap but also tackling the systemic barriers to bringing about a holistic change in the EV skilling and infrastructure landscape. By partnering with TERI to equip young professionals with future-ready skills in areas like smart grid integration and IoT, we see this as a foundational investment in India’s future and a model that can inspire similar initiatives worldwide.”
The first pilot cohort of 60 trainees has already commenced at TERI’s Gwal Pahari campus, providing students with real-world exposure to charging equipment and case-based learning. The programme aims to expand to multiple locations across India in collaboration with CPOs, academic institutions, and industry partners.
Dr. Vibha Dhawan, Director General, TERI, added, “With India accelerating its shift towards clean mobility, building a skilled workforce in EV charging infrastructure is crucial. Future-In-Charge, a joint initiative of TERI and MBRDI, is a forward-looking step to bridge industry needs with youth talent. By providing NCVET-approved training aligned with the latest technological standards, we aim to empower the next generation of professionals to lead India’s green jobs in the clean mobility journey with expertise and confidence.”
The initiative was launched during the third edition of Mercedes-Benz Sustainability Dialogue India, which brought together leaders from government, academia, and industry to discuss climate challenges and sustainable growth.
x
