IIT (BHU) Varanasi and the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, have formalized an academic partnership to accelerate innovation in electric vehicles and sustainable mobility. Signed on September 8, 2026, at Michigan’s Electric Vehicle Centre, the agreement will support joint projects, advanced-materials studies, and academic engagement. The IIT BHU and University of Michigan EV Research collaboration combines Indian e-mobility expertise with Michigan’s strengths in electric-vehicle systems. It also creates opportunities for faculty, students, researchers, and alumni to participate in international research addressing technological challenges across the expanding global electric mobility ecosystem. The agreement could help shape cleaner, smarter transportation solutions worldwide.
IIT (BHU) Varanasi and the University of Michigan signed an MoU to expand EV research, develop advanced materials, support existing projects, produce a long-term white paper, and strengthen academic exchanges.
Agreement Signed at Michigan’s EV Centre
Professor Amit Patra, Director of IIT (BHU), and Professor Todd Allen, Associate Dean for Research at Michigan’s College of Engineering, signed the agreement. An IIT (BHU) delegation visited the centre to explore clean mobility innovation.
Professor Patra said the partnership would unite IIT (BHU)’s electric mobility knowledge with Michigan’s EV-systems capabilities, enabling high-impact innovation with global relevance. The IIT BHU and University of Michigan EV Research MoU marks an important expansion of IIT (BHU)’s international research network.
Existing Projects and Advanced Materials
Professor Rajeev Kumar Singh, Head of Electrical Engineering and CTEM coordinator, presented two sanctioned collaborative projects. Participants reviewed their progress alongside additional ongoing and proposed initiatives.
Key outcomes included:
- Continued work on two approved joint EV research projects.
- Creation of a dedicated Materials Research Team.
- Development of a long-term white paper identifying promising EV research directions.
- Stronger faculty, student, alumni, and institutional participation.
- Exploration of additional projects in EV technology and sustainable mobility.
The materials initiative could support research into lighter, more durable, efficient, and sustainable components for future electric vehicles. Through the IIT BHU and University of Michigan EV Research programme, both institutions aim to convert complementary academic capabilities into practical technological advances.
Delegations Bring Multidisciplinary Expertise
IIT (BHU)’s delegation comprised Professors Amit Patra, Rajeev Kumar Singh, and Hiralal Pramanik, Dean of Resource and Alumni, alongside distinguished alumnus Vish Narayanan and senior alumnus Sri Mirle. Faculty members Debdip Bhandary, Abir Ghosh, Udita Ghosh, and Prodyut Dhar joined discussions online.
Michigan’s representatives included EVC Director Professor Alan Taub, Managing Director Christophe Mangin, and Professors Todd Allen, Jason Siegel, Heath Hofmann, and Amit Misra.
Why the EV Partnership Matters
Global electric vehicle development increasingly requires expertise across battery materials, power electronics, vehicle systems, charging, manufacturing, and sustainable transport. Cross-border partnerships can shorten research cycles while exposing students and researchers to different laboratories, industrial ecosystems, and mobility challenges.
The IIT BHU and University of Michigan EV Research partnership is expected to create fresh opportunities for joint innovation, academic exchange, and globally relevant solutions. IIT (BHU) thanked the University of Michigan and its Electric Vehicle Centre for their hospitality and support during the visit.
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