Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma has announced a major boost to the state’s electric vehicle ecosystem, confirming that Honda Cars India will manufacture its first electric SUV, the Honda 0 Alpha EV, at the company’s existing Tapukara plant in Rajasthan. The announcement came following a high-level meeting with a Honda delegation, led by President and CEO Takashi Nakajima, at the Chief Minister’s Office in Jaipur on March 14, 2026.
During the meeting, CM Sharma unveiled the Honda 0 Alpha model, marking a pivotal step in Honda’s push into India’s fast-growing EV market. Honda Cars India will invest ₹1,200 crore to upgrade and establish dedicated EV manufacturing capabilities at the Tapukara facility. This investment will enable the production of the Honda 0 Alpha to commence later in 2026, with the model positioned as Honda’s inaugural locally produced electric vehicle for the Indian market.
The Honda 0 Alpha is part of Honda’s global “0 Series” EV lineup, embodying the brand’s “Thin, Light, and Wise” philosophy for efficient, intelligent electric mobility. Designed with insights from Indian consumer needs—emphasizing spacious interiors in a compact footprint—the production-spec version is expected to target the mid-size electric SUV segment. It is slated for a full market launch around 2027, competing with models like the Hyundai Creta EV and emerging domestic EVs.
The Tapukara plant, Honda’s sole car manufacturing facility in India (located in Alwar district), currently produces models like the City, Elevate, and Amaze with an annual capacity of around 1.2–1.3 lakh units. The ₹1,200 crore infusion will transform it into a key EV hub, enhancing localization, improving cost competitiveness, and potentially supporting future exports to markets like Japan and Southeast Asia.CM Bhajan Lal Sharma hailed the development as a significant win for Rajasthan’s industrial growth and alignment with India’s green mobility goals. He emphasized that the move will create substantial job opportunities for the state’s youth, attract ancillary investments in the EV supply chain, and reinforce Rajasthan’s role in the national automotive transition.
This announcement builds on earlier efforts, including CM Sharma’s 2024 visit to Japan where he actively courted Japanese automakers for EV investments in Rajasthan. It also ties into broader state initiatives like the ‘Rising Rajasthan’ Global Investment Summit and approvals for large-scale electric bus operations to promote sustainable transport.
For Honda Cars India, the decision underscores a renewed focus on electrification in one of its most promising markets. With India’s EV adoption accelerating—driven by government incentives, infrastructure growth, and consumer demand—the localized production of the Honda 0 Alpha positions the company to regain momentum in the competitive passenger vehicle space.The ₹1,200 crore commitment signals strong confidence in Rajasthan’s ecosystem, skilled workforce, and policy support. As production ramps up later this year, the Honda 0 Alpha could become a landmark model, bridging Honda’s legacy of reliability with the future of zero-emission driving in India.
