Centre: Bengaluru to welcome state-of-the-art EV testing facility

The Union government, on Wednesday, announced the opening of a cutting-edge testing centre in Bengaluru, Karnataka, as part of a major drive to improve electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure in South India. 

The strategic effort came following the government’s ambition to boost EV battery and charger testing skills, to strengthen the regional EV ecosystem.

Reportedly, the EV testing facility will be set up at the National Test House (NTH), located on the RRSL Jakkuru campus in Bangalore. Meanwhile, Pralhad Venkatesh Joshi, Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy, is expected to put the founding stone for the EV testing facility on Thursday.

The NTH, which is part of the Department of Consumer Affairs, is a premier scientific organisation that focuses on testing and quality assurance in a variety of industries.

The state-of-the-art laboratory will be capable of performing a variety of tests, including "electrical safety, FCC/ISED compliance, EMC/EMF, functional safety, climate resistance (IP tests, UV radiation, corrosion),  durability (life cycle) and mechanical and material testing (flammability, glow wire)," according to the ministry.

The update represents a significant step towards building India's EV infrastructure, which aligns with the country's commitment to sustainable and green energy solutions.

The lab will also function as a complete testing facility for battery efficiency, safety regulations, and performance measures, ensuring that cars fulfil high-quality criteria before reaching customers.

Meanwhile, the number of public battery electric vehicle (BEV) charging stations in India has considerably risen from 1,800 in February 2022 to 16,347 in March this year, representing over a nine-fold increase, according to recent research by global consultancy company Forvis Mazars.

According to a report by India TV, the cutting-edge facility is intended to play a critical role in assisting the rapidly growing EV sector by offering comprehensive testing services to assure the safety and efficiency of EV batteries and chargers. The report further claims that the facility will help India achieve its larger goals of environmental sustainability and reduce dependency on fossil fuels by improving quality control and encouraging innovation in automotive technology.

Furthermore, the development of this new facility demonstrates the government's commitment to accelerating the transition to electric mobility in India, particularly in developing industries such as EV battery and charger testing, which are important to the industry's long-term growth.