Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India (MBRDI) and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) have introduced a dedicated skills development programme aimed at training operators of electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The initiative seeks to address the workforce challenges highlighted in their newly released whitepaper, “EV Charging in India: Ecosystem Perspectives and Skilling Opportunities,” launched at the Mercedes-Benz Sustainability Dialogue India 2025.
The whitepaper, based on insights from 150 experts across India’s EV value chain, identified limited hands-on training, non-standardised learning modules, and a shortage of qualified trainers as major barriers to preparing charge point operators (CPOs). It found that nearly half of the required competencies for CPOs lie in installation and testing of charging systems and IoT-enabled applications, followed by skills in troubleshooting, service quality, and smart grid integration.
To bridge these gaps, MBRDI and TERI launched the “Future-In-Charge” programme under the Mercedes-Benz Sustainability Garage initiative. The curriculum is approved by the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET) and endorsed by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). The first batch of 60 trainees has commenced at TERI’s Gwal Pahari campus, where participants receive both classroom instruction and hands-on training with live charging equipment.
“Sustainability is not only about advancing technology, but also about empowering people,” said Manu Saale, Managing Director and CEO, MBRDI. “With Future-In-Charge, we are addressing the skills gap while creating a foundation for systemic change in India’s EV infrastructure sector.”
Dr Vibha Dhawan, Director General, TERI, added, “As India accelerates its clean mobility journey, a skilled workforce in EV charging is essential. This programme is a forward-looking step in connecting industry requirements with youth talent.”
The initiative will expand to multiple locations across India in collaboration with charge point operators, academic institutions, and industry stakeholders. It is designed to strengthen the country’s workforce readiness as the EV ecosystem scales up. The third edition of the Mercedes-Benz Sustainability Dialogue India brought together leaders from government, academia, and industry, including representatives from NITI Aayog, UNDP India, and Mercedes-Benz Group AG’s global board.
Established in 1996, Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India is the company’s largest R&D centre outside Germany, employing more than 8,500 professionals in Bengaluru and Pune. The Energy and Resources Institute, with over five decades of expertise, is a leading independent research organisation focusing on energy, environment, and sustainability.
Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India (MBRDI) is the largest research and development center for Mercedes-Benz Group AG outside Germany. Founded in 1996, MBRDI has been instrumental in advancing technologies such as connected, autonomous, and electric mobility. Operating from offices in Bengaluru and Pune, MBRDI employs over 8,500 professionals specializing in digital product development, interior component design, IT engineering, and related services.
