In an unexpected development, the revised Karnataka Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy 2023–28 has excluded Belgaum from the list of proposed EV clusters, despite earlier commitments to position the city as a future hub for EVs and drones. The new focus is on Chikkaballapur, Bidadi near Bengaluru, and Hubballi–Dharwad as the key locations for EV clusters in the state.
The revised Karnataka Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy 2023–28 has designated certain areas as EV Model Cities, focusing on Chikkaballapur, Bidadi, and Hubballi–Dharwad for EV manufacturing and OEM clusters. Approximately 800 acres have been allocated for this purpose, allowing manufacturers to establish factories. Gunjan Krishna, Commissioner of the Department of Industries and Commerce, highlighted the intent to centralize EV manufacturing. The exclusion of Belgaum from this initiative has disappointed local stakeholders, especially after the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission’s recent efforts to promote the city as a hub for drones and EVs.
The government’s abrupt shift in focus has sparked concerns among local citizens and industry representatives, questioning why the DRoEV-2023 event was held in Belgaum if the city wasn’t included in the final list of EV clusters. The event had generated significant excitement and optimism for Belgaum’s economic prospects, especially after the government announced plans to allocate 500 acres for a tech hub dedicated to drones and EVs.
Critics have expressed concerns that Belgaum’s exclusion from the revised EV policy could damage investor confidence and squander resources invested in the DRoEV-2023 event. A local entrepreneur questioned the purpose of holding the event in Belgaum if the city wasn’t going to be included in the EV clusters, calling it a betrayal of trust. As the community seeks clarity from the Karnataka government and KDEM, doubts persist about the transparency and effectiveness of the policy-making process, especially given the resources committed to making Belgaum a key player in EV and drone sectors.
