The Light Electric-Vehicle Acceleration Forum (LEAF) has been launched as a neutral, industry-led consortium aimed at enhancing the electric vehicle (EV) charging ecosystem in India. The initiative focuses on promoting the adoption of electric two- and three-wheelers by enabling a more integrated and interoperable charging infrastructure. The forum was inaugurated by H. D. Kumaraswamy, Union Minister for Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises.
LEAF brings together a lot of different people who work in the light electric vehicle (LEV) ecosystem, such as original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), charging infrastructure operators, component suppliers, and technology providers. The group also wants to work with government agencies, regulators, and industry groups to make sure that their plans for building EV infrastructure are in line with national policies.
Founding Members and Expanding Ecosystem
The consortium has been established through a memorandum of understanding between Hero MotoCorp, Ather Energy, and IPEC India. These founding members will form the initial steering committee, guiding LEAF’s strategic direction.
At launch, LEAF includes over 20 member organisations spanning OEMs, charge point operators, suppliers, and software providers. The forum is expected to expand further as more participants join the initiative in the coming months.
Focus on Interoperability and Standardisation
A core objective of LEAF is to improve interoperability across charging networks, ensuring a reliable and seamless user experience. The consortium also seeks to expand public access to EV charging infrastructure while addressing challenges posed by fragmented networks.
The Bureau of Indian Standards has approved the Light Electric Combined Charging System (LECCS), which is a key part of LEAF. The standard (IS 17017 Part 2/Sec 7) describes a “Type 7” connector that can handle both AC and DC power. It also lets devices talk to each other and work together on a network.
Industry Leaders Highlight Vision
Commenting on the initiative, industry leaders stated: “EV adoption in India has reached an inflection point, and the next phase of its growth will depend on how effectively the industry addresses charging anxiety as users navigate fragmented networks and inconsistent experiences. Delivering a seamless and interoperable charging experience at scale will require alignment on shared approaches, which LEAF aims to enable. We believe India has the potential to emerge as a global leader in light electric mobility, and initiatives like LEAF are key to unlocking this potential by building a more cohesive and scalable public charging ecosystem.”
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