Gujarat is fast emerging as a testbed for India’s smart mobility revolution. The state leads in electric vehicle (EV) adoption, with over 2.64 lakh EVs registered as of April 2025 and more than 800 electric buses deployed across its cities. Proactive policies like Gujarat’s EV Policy 2021 (backed by 870 crore) have provided generous incentives, for example, slashing road tax on EVs to just 1% until 2026, spurring rapid uptake. These local successes reflect a broader national push towards innovative, technology-driven transportation solutions. Across India, there is a recognition that conventional transport models must evolve to tackle urban congestion, pollution, and accessibility challenges.

Smart mobility, encompassing electrification, digital integration, and new service models, is seen as the way forward for cleaner, more efficient transportation. The central government has set ambitious targets (aiming for 30% of all vehicle sales to be electric by 2030) and notes that EV sales have already surged from just 50,000 in 2016 to 2.08 million in 2024, signalling that India’s transition, while initially slow, is now accelerating. In this context, startups and Global Capability Centres (GCCs) are playing pivotal roles in developing Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) platforms, Internet of Things (IoT) applications, and connected vehicle technologies to drive India’s transport tech innovation.

India’s Smart Mobility Landscape

India’s urban mobility needs are immense; rapid urbanisation and rising vehicle ownership have led to traffic congestion, long commutes, and poor air quality in many cities. Traditional infrastructure alone cannot solve these issues, prompting a shift toward “smart mobility”, which integrates new technologies and business models into transportation. Key elements include electrified vehicles, shared mobility services, real-time data-driven operations, and multi-modal integration for seamless travel. The government’s focus on this transition is evident in major initiatives.

Why innovation? These efforts illustrate that improving mobility in India is not just about building more roads or buying more buses – it requires innovation in technology and policy. Smart mobility promises safer, cleaner, and more inclusive transport. Electric and shared vehicles reduce pollution and congestion; digital platforms enhance accessibility and user experience; and data-driven systems optimize infrastructure use. With one of the world’s largest transportation markets, India’s adoption of smart mobility solutions could yield enormous benefits in economic productivity, environmental sustainability, and quality of life.

ELEMENT	KEY FEATURE	CORE INSIGHTS
Electric Mobility	EV adoption rising, policy support strong	EV sales: 0.5% (2018) → 7.7% (2024); 6.5M+ EVs on road FAME-II subsidy: ₹11,500 cr Annual sales: 2M+, growth 49% CAGR till 2030
Shared & Digital Mobility	App-driven services, digital public transport	85% of households have smartphones. 90% of Tier-1 cities use e-ticketing, GPS, and AI-CCTV. NCMC (“One Nation, One Card”) launched in 2019
Infrastructure & Multimodal	Integrated, tech-enabled transport systems	PM Gati Shakti: multi-crore infra plan. Smart Cities using AI/IoT for traffic mgmt Metro, bus, BRT linked via common cards/apps.

Table – 2

Gujarat: A Launchpad for Mobility Innovation

Starting at the state level, Gujarat offers a compelling case study in driving transport innovation. The state has actively embraced new mobility technologies through supportive policies and pilot programs, making it a national leader on multiple fronts. (Refer to Table – 2)

Also Read | Building smart and sustainable mobility solutions

Role of Startups in Smart Mobility

Startups have become the engine of innovation in India’s mobility sector, bringing agility and fresh ideas to longstanding transportation problems. Over the past decade, hundreds of mobility-tech startups have emerged, spanning diverse domains, including vehicle design and manufacturing, as well as service platforms and software. (Refer to Table – 3)

Role of Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in Mobility Innovation

In parallel with the startup boom, Global Capability Centres (GCCs), R&D and engineering centers of multinational companies, have become key pillars of mobility innovation in India. No longer mere outsourcing outfits, GCCs today are end- to-end innovation hubs for their parent companies, leveraging

India’s skilled talent to develop next-generation automotive and transportation technologies. The country now hosts over 60 automotive GCCs employing ~110,000 engineers as of 2025. Initially set up for cost efficiency, these centres have matured to take on core product development in areas like vehicle engineering, software, and emerging tech. Major global automakers and suppliers – Bosch, Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai, Tata/Jaguar Land Rover, Continental, Stellantis, ZF, Marelli, to name a few, have large R&D footprints in India, alongside tech giants working on mobility solutions (Google, Intel, etc. working on mapping, autonomous driving software, and connectivity).

The Contributions of GCCS are Significant:

India’s public policy recognises the value of GCCs: initiatives like flexible SEZ rules, R&D tax incentives, and talent development programs (e.g. specialised courses in EV engineering) support the continued growth of these centres. The presence of thriving GCCs in cities like Bengaluru, Pune, Hyderabad, and Chennai (and emerging hubs in Gujarat’s GIFT City, Hyderabad’s Mobility Valley, etc.) also means there are more opportunities for local engineers to engage in world-class projects without relocating abroad, thus stemming brain drain. As GCCs and startups increasingly collaborate, India stands to create a robust innovation ecosystem capable of delivering both global and local mobility solutions. (Refer to Table – 4)

Focus Areas: Maas, IOT, and Connected Mobility Platforms

Among the many facets of smart mobility, MaaS (Mobility-as-a- Service), IoT-driven systems, and connected vehicle platforms are especially transformative. They are enabling a shift from privately owned, isolated transport modes to a more integrated, on-demand, and intelligent mobility ecosystem.

Mobility-As-A-Service (MaaS) – Integration Of Transport Modes

MaaS refers to the integration of various transport options – public transit, ride-sharing, rentals, etc., into a single accessible service platform. Instead of individuals using personal vehicles or juggling separate tickets for buses, metros, and taxis, MaaS envisions a unified system where one can plan and pay for an end-to-end journey via one application or subscription. India has embraced the MaaS concept as a solution to improve public transport usage and reduce dependency on private vehicles.

Table – 3

Table – 4

• Unified Mobility Platforms: As mentioned, Indian startups and transit agencies are actively developing apps that combine multiple modes. For instance, a commuter in Bengaluru can use the Namma Metro app not only for train tickets but also to access first-mile auto-rickshaw rides and last-mile scooter In Delhi NCR, the Uber app experimented with showing public transit options alongside cab rides, and the government’s One Delhi app provides bus and metro info in one place. The trend is toward “integrating public, private, and shared mobility under one platform”, a principle discussed at national forums like the 2025 Urban Mobility Summit. Startups act as MaaS integrators, bringing tech expertise to the traditionally siloed transit operators. Many state transport corporations are signing MOUs with app providers to enable e-ticketing and route discovery via smartphones. This not only enhances commuter convenience but also provides operators with valuable data on travel patterns.
• National Common Mobility Card (NCMC): A cornerstone of India’s MaaS initiative is the NCMC, launched in 2019 as an interoperable transit card. Backed by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs under the One Nation, One Card vision, NCMC functions as a RuPay-based smart card that is accepted for metro rail, buses, suburban trains, toll payments, and even retail purchases. Banks like SBI, ICICI issue these cards, which riders can use across different cities and modes without needing separate tokens or passes. The adoption is steadily growing – most metro systems (Delhi, Ahmedabad, etc.) and an increasing number of bus networks now accept NCMC. This provides a common payment backbone for MaaS, upon which digital apps can layer additional services. For example, a future MaaS app could let a user plan a trip involving a metro ride and a bus, and simply use their NCMC at both gates, with the app handling fare calculation and even offering bundled discounts. Such integration lowers barriers for users switching between modes.
• City-Level Innovation: Cities like Kochi have taken a lead with their own flavor of MaaS, the Kochi1 Card and app integrate metro, buses, and ferries in the city, showing the feasibility of full multimodal integration on a local In Mumbai, a pilot is underway for a Common Mobility Card that would work on local trains, BEST buses, and the metro. Meanwhile, Ahmedabad’s Janmitra Card (a collaboration with ICICI Bank) serves as a smart city card, not only for BRTS/AMTS buses but also for municipal services and even zoo or parking fees, effectively a city-wide services card. These localised innovations often involve startups or partnerships with fintech companies, exemplifying how public agencies are embracing fintech and mobility tech startups to drive MaaS. By encouraging such pilots and sharing best practices through forums like the annual Urban Mobility India conference, policymakers are pushing for MaaS replication across all major urban centres. The end vision is a nation where a traveller can use one app or card to seamlessly move through any city with any mode, a game-changer for ease of mobility.

IOT &Connected Mobility – Intelligent Systems and Infrastructure

The proliferation of Internet of Things devices and high-speed connectivity (4G now, 5G on the horizon) is enabling vehicles and infrastructure to communicate in real time, creating opportunities for safer and more efficient transport. India is witnessing rapid strides in connected mobility. (Refer to Table – 5)

Way Forward

India stands at an inflection point in its transportation history. The convergence of progressive policy, energetic startups, and global R&D engagement is propelling the nation toward a smarter mobility future. The progress in Gujarat, from record EV adoption to successful integration of tech in public transit illustrates how local initiative can drive national change. Across the country, thousands of entrepreneurs and engineers are tackling challenges in electrification, connectivity, and service delivery, turning India into a vibrant lab for new mobility solutions. The government’s target of 30% electric vehicle sales by 2030 and a longer-term vision of sustainable, accessible transport for all will require continued innovation momentum.

Encouragingly, the building blocks are falling into place. Global auto majors’ GCCs in India are developing the very technologies (EV powertrains, autonomous systems, etc.) that will define next-generation mobility, while Indian startups are ensuring these innovations are tailored to domestic needs, whether it’s a low-cost e-scooter for the masses or a multilingual transit app for Indian cities. Policy support remains strong, shifting from just subsidies to more holistic ecosystem-building, as seen in the move to setting mandates and standards for EVs and connected vehicles, which will create markets for innovation.

Going forward, a few focus areas will amplify the impact of current efforts: scaling up charging infrastructure (where both startups and utilities need to collaborate to install millions of chargers, especially in smaller cities and highways), enhancing grid readiness and renewable integration for EVs, strengthening data-sharing frameworks so that mobility data can be used (with privacy safeguards) by developers to create better services, and maintaining an inclusive approach (making sure smart mobility benefits rural areas and different demographics, not just urban elites). Additionally, enhancing links between GCCs, startups, and government can create symbiotic relationships, for example, inviting MNC R&D experts to mentor startups or using startup innovations within government vehicle fleets as lead adopters.

India’s smart mobility journey is well underway, powered by innovation at both the grassroots and global levels. The national outlook is one of optimism: with the current trajectory, India is poised not only to solve many of its own mobility issues through local innovation but also to emerge as an exporter of transport solutions for the world. The road ahead will require sustained policy support, investment, and experimentation, but if the recent successes from Gujarat and beyond are any indication, the country is geared up to accelerate into a future of connected, clean, and convenient mobility for all its citizens. Innovative startups and GCC-led R&D will continue to be at the heart of this transformation, steering India toward its vision of smart mobility.

Table – 5

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