India’s electric mobility landscape received a significant boost with the launch of the Light Electric-vehicle Acceleration Forum (LEAF), a neutral, industry-led consortium aimed at strengthening the EV charging ecosystem for two- and three-wheelers. The forum was inaugurated by Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, Mr. H. D. Kumaraswamy.
As EV adoption gathers pace, LEAF seeks to address one of the sector’s key challenges—charging infrastructure. The forum brings together OEMs, charging network operators, suppliers, component manufacturers and technology providers to collaborate on building a more reliable and accessible charging ecosystem. It will also work closely with government and regulatory bodies to align with national policies and accelerate infrastructure development.
A central focus of LEAF is improving interoperability across charging networks to ensure a consistent and seamless user experience. Initiatives such as the Light Electric Combined Charging System (LECCS), approved by the Bureau of Indian Standards, are expected to play a key role. The “Type 7” connector standard supports both AC and DC charging, enabling unified communication and easier access across networks.
The consortium has been formed through a Memorandum of Understanding between Hero MotoCorp, Ather Energy and IPEC India, who will serve as founding members of the steering committee. At launch, LEAF brought together over 20 organisations from across the light electric vehicle ecosystem, with plans to expand participation further.
Industry leaders noted that India’s EV adoption is at a critical stage, where addressing charging reliability and user experience will be key to sustained growth. They emphasised that a collaborative, standardised approach is essential to reduce fragmentation and build a scalable public charging network.
