ARAI unveiled a ₹55-cr battery lab and an advanced EV testing facility to boost India’s electric mobility. The institute also signed an MoU with Skoda Auto Volkswagen India for a new crash test facility. Director Reji Mathai said, “The milestones reflected the institute’s legacy as well as its future aspirations.”
The institute also plans to develop an advanced crash test facility in collaboration with Skoda Auto Volkswagen India. Officials said the aim is to strengthen India’s automotive research, electric mobility and vehicle safety ecosystem.
During the event Kumaraswamy highlighted ARAI’s contribution to strengthening India’s automotive ecosystem through research, testing, certification and safety.
The laboratory, established under the Ministry of Heavy Industries’ Enhancement of Competitiveness in the Indian Capital Goods Sector – Phase II scheme, will strengthen India’s capabilities in battery testing, validation, safety assessment and performance evaluation for electric and hybrid vehicles.
The second major facility, the advanced two-dynamometer e-axle and EV powertrain test facility, has been developed to support the design, development, validation and optimisation of electric powertrains and e-axles.
Another significant development was the exchange of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ARAI and Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Pvt Ltd for the transfer of a land parcel to develop an advanced crash test facility.
Reji Mathai, ARAI director, said, “The milestones reflected the institute’s legacy as well as its future aspirations, adding that the organisation would continue to support India’s mobility transformation through advanced testing infrastructure, electric mobility technologies, road safety initiatives and industry collaboration.”