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 chair of Hyundai Motor Group discussed the possibility at the India-Korea Business Forum. After several rounds of discussions, the plan has now materialized with the signing of a joint development agreement at the 2026 Korea-India Business Forum.The collaboration follows the unveiling of the E3W concept at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025, and now moves into the production phase. Under the agreement, Hyundai will lead product design and co-development, leveraging its global R&D capabilities and human-centered design philosophy. TVS, on the other hand, will contribute its expertise in motor, electric mobility and three-wheeler platforms, while also handling manufacturing and sales operations in India.
The upcoming electric three-wheeler will be specially developed for India’s unique mobility challenges, including varying road conditions and high urban density. It is expected to offer solutions such as adaptive ground clearance for rough and waterlogged roads, improved safety systems, improved thermal management for tropical climates, and flexible cabin configurations suitable for passenger as well as cargo applications. A key feature of the partnership is its strong focus on localization. Both companies aim to source and manufacture critical components within India, which is expected to reduce costs, improve supply chain efficiency, and ensure faster service and parts availability. The initiative is also likely to create employment opportunities and strengthen the domestic EV ecosystem. The project has now entered the development and testing phase, with both companies creating dedicated teams for rapid production development and regulatory approvals. Once developed, the new electric three-wheeler will be introduced first in India (currently the world’s largest three-wheeler market) before being considered for other regions.
