NEW DELHI: 18th April 2025
Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology (TIET) in Patiala hosted the EV INNOVATE-A-THON, a one-of-a-kind collaboration between BYD India and the Automotive Skills Development Council, with great success.
The ASDC-BYD EV INNOVATE-A-THON is an industry-focused, hands-on learning event in engineering education that broadens the opportunities for innovation by providing young talent with the resources and mentorship they need to create impactful solutions.
This most recent phase, which focused on prototype development, gave students the opportunity to present innovative concepts that combine engineering excellence, sustainability, and practical applications in the electric vehicle (EV) industry.
In the preliminary rounds, 100 teams were chosen from a pool of over 3,200 participants across the country, with the top ten teams advancing to Round 3, where they received dedicated technical mentoring.
The competition began in July 2024 with a digital quiz that assessed students’ knowledge of EVs and sustainability. High achievers advanced to the second round, where they collaborated in groups of four to submit digital prototype ideas, guided by academic and industry mentors.
Reflecting on their progress, ASDC President F. R. Singhvi stated that their goal is to link academic education with industry needs.
He stated that the BYD EV INNOVATE-A-THON promotes a talent pipeline that not only follows but also creates trends, emphasizing that India’s youth are redefining the country’s mobility narrative, and this initiative allows them to do so creatively.
The third and most rigorous round assesses teams on technical functionality, innovation, market relevance, and presentation abilities. The event featured a diverse range of innovative ideas, from intelligent energy management systems to modular EV designs, all with a focus on practical application. SInghvi Informed
Rajeev Chauhan, Vice President of BYD India, emphasised the program’s long-term value, saying that the company believes in empowering young minds to shape a sustainable future. “This is our way of giving them a global platform to think about, build, and lead in electric mobility. When students are given real-world challenges, they rise to the occasion with creativity and conviction. That’s what we’re witnessing in BYD INNOVATE-A-THON.” Chauhan said.

