The Global Automotive Research Centre (GARC) in Oragadam, Chennai, is upgrading its automotive testing infrastructure under the government’s PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) Scheme, with new facilities planned for electric vehicles, batteries, advanced safety systems and other emerging technologies.
GARC, which operates under the National Automotive Board of the Ministry of Heavy Industries, is an authorised testing agency under Rule 126 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules. Its existing capabilities cover vehicle and component testing, research and development, homologation and certification across areas including powertrains, emissions, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), fatigue, electric vehicles and safety testing.
The government has allocated ₹221.13 crore to GARC for the infrastructure upgrades, with purchase orders issued for almost all the proposed equipment. The PM E-DRIVE scheme has a total outlay of ₹10,900 crore, including ₹780 crore for upgrading testing agencies, and is operational until March 31, 2028.
GARC Adds EV, ADAS And Crash Testing Capabilities
The upgrades include electric vehicle and EV battery testing facilities compliant with AIS-156, as well as EV electromagnetic interference and electromagnetic compatibility (EMI/EMC) testing under AIS-004 Part 3 Rev.1.
GARC is also establishing a heavy commercial vehicle testing facility and upgrading its powertrain laboratory. Other additions include advanced passive safety testing equipment, including dummies and dummy calibration equipment, along with ADAS testing equipment and soft targets. Automotive component testing facilities are also being established or upgraded.
Installation of the procured equipment has begun. One of the additions is a high-speed, high-resolution imaging system featuring UHD-4K cameras capable of recording at up to 750 frames per second (fps) and Full HD footage at up to 3,000 fps.
The system will be used during frontal, side and rear crash testing to record vehicle deformation, occupant movement and airbag deployment. The resulting footage will support safety analysis and homologation activities.
PM E-DRIVE Supports Expanded Automotive Certification
The infrastructure being developed at GARC under PM E-DRIVE is intended to expand domestic testing and certification capabilities for EVs, batteries, advanced safety systems, ADAS, heavy commercial vehicles and other emerging automotive technologies.
The investment also expands GARC's role as an automotive testing and research centre, with the upgraded facilities covering technologies across electrification, vehicle safety and advanced automotive systems.