Latest news with #MobilitySkills2030
Time of India
a day ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
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.
Hans India
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Hans India
Plan panel's 6-point policy roadmap to drive TN's global mobility leadership
Chennai: The State Planning Commission (SPC) has unveiled a comprehensive six-point policy roadmap aimed at transforming Tamil Nadu into a global leader in sustainable mobility and electric vehicle (EV) innovation. Titled 'Tamil Nadu's Automotive Future,' the SPC report was formally submitted to Chief Minister M.K. Stalin by Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin and SPC Executive Chairman J. Jeyaranjan at the State Secretariat. The report highlights the need for Tamil Nadu to evolve from a traditional automotive manufacturing hub to a centre for deep mobility innovation. To achieve this, the Commission recommended institutional and financial support for advanced research, intellectual property (IP) creation, and product development. A key recommendation is the establishment of a Tamil Nadu Mobility Innovation Fund to co-finance high-risk, high-reward R&D in areas such as battery technologies, EV operating systems, hydrogen propulsion, energy management software, and lightweight materials. The roadmap also suggests the creation of mobility R&D zones co-located with existing EV hubs in Chennai, Coimbatore, and Hosur. These zones would include shared infrastructure such as battery certification centres, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) labs, simulation environments, and vehicle testing tracks. The SPC called for strong academic-industry partnerships with premier institutions like IIT-Madras and Anna University. It also recommended fellowships and startup grants for researchers working on commercially viable innovations. To encourage broader participation, the Commission proposed plug-and-play access to public R&D labs and prototyping tools for startups and MSMEs. Addressing the issue of underutilised talent, the report flagged that over 1.5 lakh engineering graduates are produced annually in Tamil Nadu but remain underrepresented in core R&D roles. To bridge this gap, the Commission recommended launching the Mobility Skills 2030 programme with specialised courses in EV powertrains, battery technology, embedded systems, and logistics analytics. For balanced regional development, the report advocated targeted incentives for companies establishing units in non-urban districts, positioning mobility as a driver for equitable economic growth. On the infrastructure front, the SPC urged the state to fast-track the deployment of public charging stations along highways, in industrial zones, and within urban mobility hubs. It also recommended time-bound incentives for commercial EVs, including electric trucks and small commercial vehicles (e-SCVs). The Commission warned that EV adoption in the heavy commercial vehicle segment may remain below 20 per cent by 2030 without active government intervention. It proposed forming a Mobility Innovation and Growth Council comprising government, industry, academia, and civil society stakeholders to steer policy implementation. Lastly, the roadmap called for the formulation of a statewide EV charging infrastructure master plan and urged the government to mandate EV-ready building codes in urban planning to ensure long-term sustainability.
