The Chinese auto giant has been expanding its footprint in India steadily, with a key focus on products, as well as technological development
The BYD EV INNOVATE-A-THON aims to serve as a platform for students to showcase innovative ideas. For the third round, Thapar Institute hosted the event to connect the students with the real-world industry experience. BYD is one of the biggest NEV (New Energy Vehicle) players on the planet. It even briefly overtook Tesla as the highest-selling EV company a few quarters ago. With its enticing vehicles at affordable prices, it aims to snatch market share away from the legacy automobile brands.
BYD EV INNOVATE-A-THON – Where Industry Meets Imagination
As per the official press release, the third round of the BYD EV INNOVATE-A-THON was held at Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology (TIET) in Patiala. This event is a joint effort between BYD India and the Automotive Skills Development Council (ASDC). Its purpose is to connect academic learning with real-world electric vehicle challenges. In this round, the focus was on building functional EV prototypes. Engineering students from across India were encouraged to present ideas that combine technical skills, sustainability, and real-world application. Over 3,200 students participated in earlier rounds. From that pool, 100 teams were shortlisted, and eventually, only 10 teams made it to this final phase. Each team was assigned a mentor to guide them through the prototype development process.
The selected teams showcased working EV models and gave presentations to a jury made up of professionals from both the industry and academia. These included experts from BYD India, Vroomble Services, NAMTECH, and ARAI. The students were judged not only on the technical performance of their models but also on how clearly they could explain and pitch their ideas. The panel observed that students showed a strong understanding of EV technology and conveyed their ideas with clarity and confidence. This stage of the competition measured innovation, feasibility, market readiness, and how well the teams could communicate their concepts.
The competition began in July 2024 with an online quiz to test basic knowledge about EVs and sustainability. Top scorers then formed teams and submitted digital prototype ideas in the second round. Mentors from both industry and academia supported their progress. According to ASDC President Mr. F. R. Singhvi, the goal of this initiative is to prepare students to lead the shift toward electric mobility in India. He pointed out that the competition is about more than just building models – it’s about changing the mindset toward innovation in the EV space. BYD India’s Vice President, Mr. Rajeev Chauhan, also emphasized the importance of involving young talent in solving real industry problems. The third round demonstrated a range of creative concepts, from modular vehicle designs to smart energy solutions. Overall, this competition reflects a hands-on learning model that prepares students for real challenges in the fast-changing EV industry.
You may also like: BYD Quashes Rumours of Setting Up $10 Billion EV Plant in India
