Hyundai Motor Company and TVS Motor Company have officially partnered to develop and manufacture electric three-wheelers for India. The two companies have signed a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) to jointly work on electric three-wheeler (E3W) solutions tailored to Indian conditions, with plans to expand to other global markets as well. The idea of a jointly developed three-wheeler dates back to 2018, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the executive chairman of Hyundai Motor Group discussed the possibility at the India-Korea Business Forum. After several rounds of discussions, the plan has now been realized with the signing of a joint development agreement at the 2026 Korea-India Business Forum.This collaboration follows the unveiling of the E3W concept at the India Mobility Global Expo 2025, and has now moved into the production phase. Under this agreement, Hyundai will lead the design and co-development of the product, leveraging its global R&D capabilities and human-centered design philosophy. TVS Motor, on the other hand, will handle the manufacturing and sales operations in India as well as contribute its expertise in electric mobility and three-wheeler platforms.
The upcoming electric three-wheeler will be specifically engineered for India’s unique mobility challenges, including varying road conditions and high urban density. It is expected to include solutions like adaptive ground clearance for rough and waterlogged roads, improved safety systems, better thermal management for tropical climates and flexible cabin configurations suited for passenger as well as cargo applications. The highlight of the partnership is its strong focus on localization. Both companies aim to source and manufacture key components within India, which is expected to reduce costs, improve supply chain efficiency and ensure quick service and parts availability. The move is also likely to help in employment generation and strengthen the domestic EV ecosystem. The project has now entered the development and testing phase, with both companies establishing dedicated teams to accelerate production readiness and regulatory approval. Once ready, the new electric three-wheeler will be first introduced in India (currently the world’s largest three-wheeler market) before being considered for other regions.
