Quick Highlights:
- JSW’s first fully owned electric car brand, JSW Motors, is targeted for launch in 2027, starting with a premium EV
- ₹40,000 crore integrated EV and materials project planned in Odisha, spanning vehicle assembly, batteries, and upstream processing
- JSW MG Motor India remains the near-term sales engine, with frequent launches and capacity expansion at Halol
- 50 GWh battery cell plant proposed, supported by a lithium refinery and copper smelter to cut import dependence
JSW’s First Electric Car (Without MG) Coming in 2027
JSW Group has outlined an ambitious ₹40,000 crore electric mobility strategy that combines vehicle manufacturing with battery cells and critical raw materials. While the group already has a market presence through its joint venture with MG Motor, its first electric car under a fully JSW-owned brand is planned for 2027.
The strategy is split into two clear tracks: near-term scale and retail reach via JSW MG Motor India, and a longer-term play through a new brand called JSW Motors.
Two-Pronged EV Strategy: Immediate Scale and a Clean-Sheet Brand
1. JSW MG Motor India: The Near-Term Play
JSW’s current foothold in passenger vehicles comes from JSW MG Motor India, formed after JSW acquired a 35 percent stake in MG Motor India. This partnership gives JSW immediate access to MG’s Halol manufacturing plant in Gujarat and an established dealer network.
The joint venture has outlined an aggressive product strategy, with new launches every three to six months, covering new energy vehicles such as plug-in hybrids and battery electric vehicles. Capacity at Halol, currently at a little over 1,00,000 units per year, is planned to be expanded to as much as 3,00,000 units annually. This JV represents JSW’s “here and now” presence in the Indian car market.
2. JSW Motors: First EV Expected in 2027
Running parallel to the MG partnership is JSW Motors, a completely separate brand that will not carry MG products. Sajjan Jindal has indicated that the first JSW Motors electric vehicle is targeted for 2027, with the brand expected to debut with a premium EV before moving into more affordable segments over time.
This structure allows JSW to leverage MG’s brand strength and operational base today, while developing a distinct, EV-first identity under its own name for the future.
Odisha as the Core of JSW’s EV Manufacturing Vision — Naraj and Paradip Form a Two-Location Cluster
The Odisha investment plan is designed as a multi-location manufacturing ecosystem rather than a single factory. As per the memorandum of understanding and state approvals, the project is split between Naraj in Cuttack district and Paradip in Jagatsinghpur district.
- Naraj is planned to host an EV and EV battery manufacturing complex, including vehicle assembly and component production
- Paradip is proposed as the site for a copper smelter, lithium refinery, and related component facilities
Combined, the projects are expected to generate around 11,000 jobs, with investments being rolled out in phases across both locations.
50 GWh Battery Cell Plant at the Heart of the Plan
A key pillar of the Odisha proposal is a 50 GWh battery cell manufacturing plant, a scale significant enough to support high-volume EV production and multiple vehicle programs.
According to the stated plan:
- LFP battery cells will be targeted primarily at commercial vehicle and cost-sensitive applications
- NMC battery cells will be used for passenger electric vehicles, where higher energy density is required
The broader goal is to reduce dependence on imported battery cells, which currently dominate India’s EV supply chain.
Upstream Integration: Lithium Refining and Copper Smelting
JSW’s EV push goes beyond vehicles and batteries. The proposed lithium refinery and copper smelter at Paradip are aimed at securing critical materials used across EVs.
Copper is essential for wiring, motors, and electrical systems, while lithium processing is a key step in battery production. By integrating these upstream processes, JSW aims to reduce exposure to global supply disruptions and raw material price volatility, challenges that have affected EV makers worldwide.
A Long-Term Bet on Control and Scale
Taken together, JSW’s plans signal a long-term commitment to electric mobility, combining immediate market participation through MG with a vertically integrated manufacturing base and a future-ready in-house brand.
If executed as outlined, the Odisha hub could become one of India’s most comprehensive EV manufacturing clusters, supporting JSW’s ambition to be more than just a vehicle assembler in the electric era.
