EV powertrain assembly showing precision metal components for localisation

India EV Component Localisation: Where Precision Metal Suppliers Fit

Key takeaway: India is moving toward deeper localisation of EV components beyond battery packs. A 2026 IEEFA and JMK Research study found that several non-battery EV component categories could potentially reach 90–100% localisation by 2030, including areas around powertrains, power electronics and charging systems. For precision manufacturers, this creates potential opportunities in the mechanical and electro-mechanical components that support these growing EV supply chains.

India’s electric vehicle industry is moving into a more important phase.

The first phase was largely about vehicle adoption.

The next phase is about where the components are manufactured.

India has already developed significant domestic manufacturing capability for structural and mechanical EV components. However, localisation remains uneven across the value chain, particularly in advanced electronics, specialised materials, semiconductors and rare-earth-dependent components.

This creates an important question for automotive procurement teams:

If EV systems are being localised in India, which supporting precision components can also be developed locally?

For precision metal manufacturers, this is where the opportunity becomes interesting.

What Is EV Component Localisation?

EV component localisation is the process of increasing the share of an electric vehicle’s components that are manufactured or sourced domestically rather than imported.

Localisation can involve:

Structural components
Mechanical components
Electrical components
Electronic components
Motors
Power electronics
Charging systems
Thermal systems
Control units
Battery-related systems
Wiring systems
Precision-machined components

Localisation does not mean that every component must immediately be manufactured in India.

Instead, it means developing a stronger domestic supply chain wherever technical, commercial and manufacturing conditions make local production viable.

How Much of India’s EV Component Supply Chain Is Localised?

EV localisation in India has improved, but it remains uneven between component categories.

A 2026 IEEFA and JMK Research study found that India has made significant progress in localising EV manufacturing and that several non-battery component categories could potentially reach 90–100% localisation by 2030 if announced manufacturing capacity is commissioned and operated as planned.

The study identifies opportunities around:

Motors
Power electronics
Thermal systems
Chargers
Control units
Powertrain systems

However, deeper localisation remains constrained by imported:

Semiconductors
Rare-earth magnets
Specialised materials

This distinction is important.

A vehicle may be assembled in India while some of its critical subcomponents remain imported.

Therefore:

Vehicle localisation ≠ complete component-level localisation.

Why Does Component-Level Localisation Matter?

Component-level localisation can increase domestic value creation and reduce dependence on imported subcomponents.

Consider a simplified EV subsystem.

An OEM may locally manufacture an assembly.

But that assembly could contain:

Locally manufactured housing

Locally sourced fasteners

Locally sourced precision metal components

Imported semiconductor

Imported magnet

Other specialised inputs

The assembly is local.

But the entire value chain is not.

This is why deeper localisation requires development across multiple supplier tiers.

Which EV Components Are Moving Toward Local Manufacturing?

India’s strongest localisation opportunities are currently concentrated in areas where existing automotive manufacturing capabilities can be extended into EV systems.

According to IEEFA and JMK Research, recent investment announcements have focused on:

Powertrain systems
Power electronics
Charging systems
Motors
Thermal systems
Control units

The report also notes that structural and mechanical components have comparatively stronger domestic manufacturing capability than some advanced EV-specific components.

This creates an important opportunity for established precision manufacturers.

Where Do Precision Metal Components Fit Into EVs?

Precision metal components can support EV systems wherever mechanical interfaces, electrical connections, housings, shafts, fasteners, inserts or other engineered metal parts are required.

Potential categories include:

Precision turned components
Brass terminals
Copper components
Aluminium components
Steel components
Stainless-steel components
Shafts
Bushings
Inserts
Fasteners
Connectors
Mounting components
Machined housings
Custom OEM components

The exact component depends on the customer’s design and application.

A precision component supplier should therefore evaluate the drawing and engineering specification before determining suitability.

Why Are Brass Components Relevant to EV Supply Chains?

Brass can be relevant to selected EV electrical and electro-mechanical applications where the specified material properties are suitable.

Potential applications can include:

Terminals
Connectors
Inserts
Electrical fittings
Precision-machined interfaces

Brass can be attractive for applications requiring a combination of machinability and electrical or corrosion-related properties.

However, the correct material grade must always be determined from the customer’s engineering specification.

Why Is Copper Important in EV Manufacturing?

Copper is important in EV electrical systems because of its electrical conductivity.

Depending on the application, copper components can be used in:

Electrical connections
Conductive components
Terminals
Busbar-related systems
Power-related assemblies

The actual component design, material grade and manufacturing process must be evaluated against the customer’s requirements.

Where Does Aluminium Fit?

Aluminium can support EV applications where low weight and specified thermal or mechanical properties are important.

Potential applications include:

Housings
Mounting components
Structural components
Thermal-management components
Precision-machined parts

Reducing vehicle mass is an important engineering consideration for EV efficiency, although material selection always depends on the design requirements.

What About Steel and Stainless Steel?

Steel and stainless steel remain relevant because EVs still require many mechanical structures, interfaces and engineered components.

Potential applications can include:

Shafts
Fasteners
Mounting components
Mechanical interfaces
Structural parts
Precision-machined components

Electrification does not eliminate the need for mechanical engineering.

Instead, it changes the systems around those mechanical components.

Why Are EV Power Electronics Important to Localisation?

Power electronics are one of the major areas where deeper domestic manufacturing could create significant value.

EV power electronics can include systems such as:

Inverters
Converters
Controllers
Power-management systems

These systems contain sophisticated electronics, but they also require mechanical components and interfaces.

For example, a complex electronic assembly can require:

Metal housings
Heat-transfer components
Mounting parts
Connectors
Terminals
Fasteners
Precision mechanical interfaces

Not every one of these components is necessarily suitable for a precision metal supplier.

But this demonstrates why localisation should be considered across the complete subsystem, not only the most visible technology.

What Does India’s PLI-Auto Scheme Have to Do With EV Localisation?

India’s PLI-Auto scheme was designed to support advanced automotive technology manufacturing and promote deeper localisation of advanced automotive products.

The Ministry of Heavy Industries states that the scheme has a budgetary outlay of ₹25,938 crore over five years from FY2022–23 to FY2026–27 and is focused on Advanced Automotive Technology products, including zero-emission vehicles.

The scheme is intended to help create both domestic and global supply chains.

That is important for component manufacturers because OEM localisation programmes can create demand beyond the final vehicle manufacturer.

They can create opportunities for:

OEM → Tier-1 → Tier-2 → Component supplier

The deeper the supply chain becomes, the more important qualified component suppliers become.

Is India Fully Localising EV Components?

No.

This is where many articles oversimplify the story.

The IEEFA/JMK Research analysis explicitly identifies continuing dependence on imported semiconductors, rare-earth magnets and specialised materials.

The report also notes that high localisation percentages do not automatically mean high domestic value creation.

That distinction matters.

A component may be:

Assembled in India

without being:

Fully manufactured from domestically sourced inputs.

For procurement teams, this means supplier qualification should examine the entire supply chain.

What Should an OEM Check When Localising an EV Component?

An OEM should evaluate the complete supplier chain rather than only the final manufacturing location.

A practical evaluation framework includes:

Evaluation area	What the buyer should verify
Engineering drawing	Latest approved revision
Material	Correct grade and specification
Manufacturing	Process capability
Tolerances	Ability to maintain critical dimensions
Inspection	Measurement and verification method
Quality	Applicable quality requirements
Capacity	Required annual and monthly production
Traceability	Batch and production records where required
Supply chain	Material and critical input sources
Outsourcing	Plating, heat treatment or other subcontracted processes
Development	Sample and qualification process
Delivery	Production and logistics lead time
Commercial	Total landed cost

This approach helps distinguish genuine localisation from simple final assembly.

Why Is Supplier Qualification Important for EV Components?

EV programmes require consistent components because a small part can become part of a highly integrated electrical or mechanical system.

A precision component can affect:

Assembly fit
Electrical connection
Mechanical alignment
Thermal interface
Fastener integrity
System reliability

Therefore, OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers may require detailed validation before approving a new supplier.

The exact qualification process depends on the component and customer.

What Should a Precision Metal Supplier Know Before Quoting an EV Component?

Before quoting, the supplier should understand:

Component drawing
Material grade
Critical tolerances
Surface finish
Annual quantity
Monthly demand
Production process
Inspection requirements
Packaging requirements
Required development timeline

A good RFQ begins with a complete technical specification.

Without it, a supplier may provide a price that looks attractive but does not represent the actual production requirement.

How Does Quality Differ Between a Prototype and Mass Production?

A component that can be produced once is not necessarily a component that can be produced consistently at production volume.

Prototype development tests:

Geometry
Material
Basic manufacturability
Initial fit

Mass production tests:

Repeatability
Process stability
Inspection capability
Capacity
Delivery
Batch consistency

For EV supply chains, this difference is particularly important because production programmes can require consistent output over long periods.

What Is the Opportunity for Indian Precision Manufacturers?

The EV transition creates opportunities not only for battery manufacturers and electronics companies but also for suppliers of the mechanical and electro-mechanical components surrounding those systems.

India already has strong manufacturing capabilities in areas such as:

Structural components
Chassis systems
Wiring-related components
Conventional automotive components
Precision machining

IEEFA and JMK Research note that structural and mechanical components have comparatively stronger domestic manufacturing capability, while advanced electronics and specialised materials remain more difficult to localise.

That creates a realistic opportunity:

Use India’s existing precision manufacturing base to support the next generation of localised EV systems.

What Should OEM Procurement Teams Look for in a Precision Supplier?

A procurement team evaluating an Indian precision component manufacturer should look at:

Manufacturing capability

Can the supplier produce the geometry consistently?

Material capability

Can the specified brass, copper, aluminium, steel or stainless-steel material be processed?

Dimensional control

Can critical tolerances be maintained?

Inspection

Can the required characteristics be measured?

Capacity

Can the supplier support the expected programme volume?

Traceability

Can production information be tracked where required?

Development

Can the supplier move from drawing to sample and qualification?

Delivery

Can production schedules be maintained?

Commercial competitiveness

Does the supplier provide an acceptable total cost?

Example: Localising a Precision EV Component

Consider a hypothetical EV Tier-1 supplier that currently imports a precision-machined brass connector component.

A supplier-development team could evaluate an Indian source using:

Requirement	Verification
Drawing	Latest approved revision
Material	Specified brass grade
Electrical requirement	Customer specification
Critical dimensions	Drawing tolerances
Surface finish	Required finish
Inspection	Measurement method
Sample	Development and approval
Capacity	Annual programme volume
Traceability	Required records
Supply chain	Material and outsourced processes
Delivery	Required production schedule
Commercial	Total landed cost

This example is illustrative and does not represent a Premi Brasscom customer programme. Actual localisation decisions depend on the customer’s engineering, quality and commercial requirements.

What Is the Role of Tier-2 and Tier-3 Suppliers in EV Localisation?

Deeper EV localisation depends on more than OEM and Tier-1 investment. It also requires capable Tier-2 and Tier-3 suppliers.

A simplified EV supply chain can look like:

OEM

↓

Tier-1 system supplier

↓

Tier-2 component manufacturer

↓

Raw material / specialised process supplier

If one layer remains heavily import-dependent, the domestic value contribution can remain limited.

This is why supplier development is central to deeper localisation.

What Are the Biggest Barriers to Deeper EV Localisation?

The IEEFA/JMK Research study identifies several challenges, including:

Semiconductor dependence
Rare-earth magnet dependence
Specialised material dependence
Technology gaps
Cost competitiveness
Domestic value-addition requirements
R&D requirements

This means India’s EV manufacturing opportunity is substantial, but localisation will not happen automatically.

It requires investment across the complete value chain.

What Does This Mean for Premi Brasscom International?

Premi Brasscom International manufactures precision metal components in brass, copper, aluminium, steel and stainless steel, with applications including automotive, electrical, electronic and industrial requirements.

That makes the mechanical and electro-mechanical side of EV localisation relevant to the company’s market positioning.

However, the correct claim is not:

“Premi manufactures EV components for every EV system.”

That would be unsupported.

The stronger and more credible position is:

Premi can evaluate specific customer drawings and component requirements to determine whether a precision metal component is suitable for Indian manufacturing.

The process is:

Drawing / Sample

↓

Manufacturing Feasibility

↓

Sample Development

↓

Inspection / Qualification

↓

Production

↓

Repeat Supply

This is the practical bridge between India’s EV localisation ambitions and precision component manufacturing.

What Should EV OEMs Do Next?

For OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers exploring localisation, a practical starting point is to identify components that:

Have stable programme demand
Have clearly defined drawings
Have measurable quality characteristics
Can be produced using established manufacturing processes
Have sufficient volume to justify development
Can be qualified before production transfer
Have manageable material and logistics requirements

The supplier should then be evaluated on:

Quality + Repeatability + Capacity + Traceability + Delivery + Cost

rather than only the factory price.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is EV component localisation in India?

EV component localisation means increasing domestic manufacturing and sourcing of electric-vehicle components and their subcomponents rather than relying primarily on imports.

How much of India’s EV supply chain is currently localised?

Localisation varies significantly by component. India has stronger domestic manufacturing capability in many structural and mechanical areas, while advanced electronics, semiconductors, rare-earth magnets and specialised materials remain more import-dependent.

Which EV components could reach 90–100% localisation by 2030?

IEEFA and JMK Research found that several non-battery categories, particularly areas involving powertrain, power electronics and charging systems, could potentially approach 90–100% localisation by 2030 if planned capacity is commissioned and operated as expected.

Are batteries the only major localisation opportunity in EVs?

No. Motors, power electronics, thermal systems, chargers and control units are also important EV-specific systems and represent significant localisation opportunities.

Where do precision metal components fit into EV manufacturing?

Precision metal components can support electrical, mechanical and electro-mechanical systems through applications such as terminals, connectors, inserts, shafts, bushings, fasteners, housings and mounting components, depending on the customer’s design.

Are brass components used in EV applications?

Brass can be used in selected electrical and electro-mechanical applications such as terminals, connectors and inserts when its material properties meet the customer’s engineering requirements.

Are copper components important for EVs?

Copper can be relevant to electrical connections and conductive components because of its electrical conductivity.

Can aluminium components support EV manufacturing?

Yes. Aluminium can be relevant to selected housings, mounting parts, structural components, thermal-management applications and precision-machined components where its specified properties are suitable.

Why are semiconductors and rare-earth magnets a localisation challenge?

These inputs remain highly dependent on globally concentrated supply chains, creating challenges around domestic value creation and supply security.

What should an OEM check before approving a precision EV component supplier?

The OEM should evaluate drawing capability, materials, tolerances, inspection, quality, capacity, traceability, supply-chain dependencies, development capability, delivery and total cost.

Can an EV component be considered localised if some subcomponents are imported?

Not necessarily. Final assembly may be domestic while critical inputs remain imported. Deep localisation requires greater domestic value creation across the component supply chain.

Conclusion

India’s EV transition is entering a more complicated stage.

The question is no longer simply how many electric vehicles India can manufacture.

It is:

How much of the value chain can India manufacture competitively?

A June 2026 IEEFA and JMK Research study suggests that several non-battery EV component categories could potentially reach 90–100% localisation by 2030, while also highlighting continuing dependence on semiconductors, rare-earth magnets and specialised materials.

That means the opportunity is not limited to battery manufacturers or semiconductor companies.

It extends into the wider supplier ecosystem.

Precision metal manufacturers can potentially support the localisation of the mechanical and electro-mechanical components that sit around increasingly sophisticated EV systems.

For OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers, the priority should be clear:

Find qualified suppliers capable of delivering consistent quality, repeatability, capacity and traceability.

For Indian manufacturers, the opportunity is equally clear:

Move beyond being a low-cost supplier and become a reliable part of the engineering supply chain.

Premi Brasscom International manufactures precision metal components in brass, copper, aluminium, steel and stainless steel for automotive, electrical, electronic and industrial applications.

International buyers can share a component drawing, sample, material specification or sourcing requirement for manufacturing-feasibility evaluation.