Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India broadens its Sustainability Garage Initiative.

Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India (MBRDI) has expanded its Sustainability Garage initiative with the launch of two new Centres of Excellence focused on climate tech incubation and charging infrastructure training. These centers, located in Hyderabad and New Delhi, underscore the company’s commitment to sustainability.

The Climate Tech Incubator in Hyderabad aims to support 25 social enterprises dedicated to sustainable mobility and environmental innovation by providing seed funding, mentorship, and access to deep-tech expertise. MBRDI is partnering with T-Hub, an Indian startup incubator, to involve over 500 students in a bootcamp for developing climate tech solutions.

In New Delhi, MBRDI is collaborating with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) to establish a Centre of Excellence focused on charging infrastructure. This center will offer specialized training programs for the maintenance of charging infrastructure, with the goal of certifying 60 young professionals this year.

Renata Jungo Brüngger, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG for Integrity, Governance & Sustainability, emphasized that sustainability involves creating lasting value for all stakeholders and contributing positively to society beyond core business activities. She expressed excitement about the potential innovations that will arise from these partnerships.

Manu Saale, Managing Director and CEO of MBRDI, stressed the importance of Indian innovation in sustainable mobility and expressed confidence that India’s digital R&D talent will lead to transformative climate-positive solutions.

This expansion follows the establishment of the first Sustainability Garage Centre of Excellence at the Prayoga Institute of Education Research in February 2024, which focuses on sustainable materials research. The announcement was made during the Mercedes-Benz Sustainability Dialogue India 2024, an event in New Delhi that brought together experts to discuss sustainability challenges and solutions in areas such as mobility, decarbonization, circularity, traffic safety, and digital trust.