NHEV begins third EV tech trial on Chennai–Trichy highway

National Highways for Electric Vehicles (NHEV) has initiated the third Tech Trial Run under its Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) program, focusing on converting five highways in Tamil Nadu into e-highways. The trial covers a 332 km route from Chennai to Trichy and includes testing of electric, hydrogen, and zero-emission freight vehicles, in addition to electric SUVs and buses previously tested.

The flag-off ceremony took place at Chennai Trade Centre and was attended by Dr. P. Alarmelmangai, IAS - Executive Director, Guidance TN, along with officials from the Government of Tamil Nadu, Guidance TN, Startup TN, TNGCC, and industry partners.

The trial aims to assess the performance and cost efficiency of zero-emission trucks, hydrogen, and electric freight vehicles. Key aspects under evaluation include the cost efficiency compared to diesel vehicles, total cost of ownership for electric fleets, investment recovery periods, and the costs of upgrading e-highway infrastructure. This trial is part of a broader initiative to advance zero-emission transportation in India.

Abhijeet Sinha, Program Director at NHEV, noted that this trial builds on insights from previous tests on electric SUVs and buses, now including freight and logistics components. The trial will contribute to planning for a 5500 km e-highway network currently under development.

The Tech Trial focuses on five key routes: Trichy to Chennai, Trichy to Madurai, Coimbatore to Ulundurpet, Kishnagiri to Madurai, and Madurai to Kanyakumari. The data collected will help determine optimal locations for charging stations, their frequency, associated costs, and the overall investment needed for highway upgrades.

The project aims to reduce logistics costs in India from 14% to 9%, with Tamil Nadu serving as a model for other states in transitioning to zero-emission trucking. NHEV’s ongoing trials, including those previously conducted in Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra, have provided valuable insights for planning and operating electric vehicles.