New LEAF Consortium Brings EV Makers and Charging Firms Together in India

India’s first neutral and industry-led consortium for electric vehicles called Light Electric-Vehicle Acceleration Forum (LEAF), has been launched in New Delhi. This consortium aims at improving the charging ecosystem for light EVs in India. The forum was inaugurated by H. D. Kumaraswamy, Hon’ble Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, and brings together major stakeholders from across the EV value chain.

Platform for collaboration

LEAF has been formed to connect OEMs, charging infrastructure operators, suppliers, component manufacturers and technology providers on a common platform. According to the press release, the forum will work with government and regulatory bodies, as well as industry associations, to support the development of EV charging infrastructure in line with policy directions.

The initiative comes at a time when electric vehicle adoption in India is moving into a more mature phase. Industry stakeholders behind the forum say the next stage of growth will depend not only on more chargers, but also on a more consistent and user-friendly charging experience. That is where LEAF intends to play a coordinating role.

Focus on interoperability and user experience

One of the forum’s main goals is to improve interoperability across charging networks. LEAF also aims to make charging more reliable and more consistent for users, while expanding access to public charging infrastructure. These issues remain central to the wider adoption of electric two-wheelers and three-wheelers, where charging anxiety can still influence purchase decisions.

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The press release also highlights ongoing interoperability work for light electric vehicles, including LECCS, or Light Electric Combined Charging System. The standard, approved by the Bureau of Indian Standards, is described as a combined AC/DC Type 7 connector that supports both slow and fast charging. It is also expected to help enable unified communication and roaming across networks.

Founding members and future plans

LEAF has been established through a memorandum of understanding between Hero MotoCorp, through its Emerging Mobility Business Unit – Vida, IPEC India and Ather Energy. These founding members form the initial steering committee of the consortium. At launch, the forum already included more than 20 member organisations representing vehicle manufacturers, charge point operators, suppliers and software providers. LEAF said it will expand membership further in the coming months.

The forum’s broader ambition is clear: to support India’s transition to electric mobility by encouraging collaboration, standards adoption and a more scalable public charging ecosystem.