Tamil Nadu unveils ambitious roadmap to lead EV innovation
In a landmark move to accelerate its electric vehicle (EV) ambitions, the State Planning Commission (SPC) has released a comprehensive policy roadmap titled 'Tamil Nadu's Automotive Future', reports IANS.
The blueprint, submitted to Chief Minister M.K. Stalin by Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin and SPC Executive Chairman J. Jeyaranjan, charts a bold transformation of Tamil Nadu from a traditional auto-manufacturing hub into a global leader in sustainable mobility and deep-tech automotive innovation.
From Manufacturing Base to Innovation Powerhouse
The report underscores the need to evolve beyond legacy manufacturing into a centre for cutting-edge mobility solutions. The SPC has proposed the establishment of a Tamil Nadu Mobility Innovation Fund, designed to co-finance high-risk, high-reward R&D initiatives.
These include emerging areas such as battery chemistry, hydrogen propulsion, EV operating systems, energy management software, and lightweight composite materials.
New Mobility R&D Zones in Key EV Clusters
To create a thriving ecosystem for automotive innovation, the Commission recommends setting up mobility R&D zones co-located with EV industry hubs in Chennai, Coimbatore, and Hosur.
These zones would be equipped with shared infrastructure, including battery certification centres, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) labs, simulation environments, and vehicle testing tracks, to accelerate product development and validation.
Academic-Industry Synergy and Startup Support
Highlighting the critical role of academic collaboration, the SPC called for partnerships with institutions like IIT-Madras and Anna University. It also proposed fellowships and startup grants for innovators working on commercially viable mobility solutions.
Startups and MSMEs would get plug-and-play access to public R&D labs and prototyping facilities, significantly lowering the entry barrier for early-stage tech ventures.
Bridging the Talent Gap: Mobility Skills 2030
With over 1.5 lakh engineering graduates entering the workforce annually, the report flags the underrepresentation of this talent in core R&D roles. To address this, the Mobility Skills 2030 programme has been proposed. It aims to offer specialised training in EV powertrains, battery technologies, embedded systems, and logistics analytics, thereby aligning workforce capabilities with the demands of a future-ready mobility sector.
Incentives for Regional Equity and Commercial EV Adoption
To ensure balanced economic development, the roadmap advocates targeted incentives for firms setting up units in non-urban districts. The SPC also recommended accelerating deployment of public charging stations in highways, industrial zones, and urban centres to improve charging infrastructure. Time-bound incentives were proposed for commercial EVs, especially electric trucks and small commercial vehicles (e-SCVs), to boost fleet electrification.
The report warned that without active government intervention, EV adoption in the heavy commercial vehicle segment may remain below 20% by 2030.
Governance and Infrastructure: Laying the Foundation
To steer implementation, the SPC has proposed the formation of a Mobility Innovation and Growth Council comprising stakeholders from government, industry, academia, and civil society. A statewide EV charging master plan has been called for, along with mandates for EV-ready building codes in urban planning, to ensure that long-term infrastructure is aligned with the needs of a rapidly electrifying mobility landscape.
With this forward-looking roadmap, Tamil Nadu is positioning itself not just as India's EV capital, but as a global crucible for automotive innovation, sustainability, and inclusive economic growth.
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