Key Points
- GARC receives ₹221.13 crore allocation under PM E-DRIVE scheme for testing upgrades
- New high-speed cameras can record crash tests at up to 3,000 frames per second
- PM E-DRIVE scheme allocates ₹780 crore for upgrading automotive testing agencies
The Global Automotive Research Centre (GARC) in Chennai has begun installing new equipment for electric vehicle and crash safety testing after receiving ₹221.13 crore under the government‘s PM E-DRIVE scheme, the Ministry of Heavy Industries said on Monday (28 September).
The centre, which operates under the National Automotive Board as an authorised testing agency under Rule 126 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, has issued purchase orders for nearly all proposed equipment.
The upgrades will expand its capacity to test and certify electric vehicles, batteries, advanced safety systems and heavy commercial vehicles at a time when domestic EV production is accelerating.
Among the equipment being installed is a high-speed imaging system capable of recording crash tests at resolutions up to 4K at 750 frames per second and Full HD at 3,000 frames per second.
The cameras will capture vehicle deformation, occupant movement and airbag deployment during frontal, side and rear crash tests, data that is required for safety certification and homologation, the formal process of verifying that a vehicle meets regulatory standards before it can be sold.
Testing upgrades
GARC is establishing or upgrading several testing facilities under the allocation. These include electric vehicle and EV battery testing compliant with AIS-156, the Indian standard that specifies safety and performance requirements for EV batteries.
The centre is also adding testing capability for electromagnetic interference and electromagnetic compatibility, commonly known as EMI/EMC testing under AIS-004 Part 3 Rev.1, which ensures that electronic components in vehicles do not interfere with each other or with external systems.
Other facilities being upgraded include a heavy commercial vehicle testing facility, powertrain laboratory and advanced passive safety testing equipment, including crash test dummies and calibration systems.
The centre is also adding capability to test advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), the camera, radar and sensor-based technologies that enable features such as automatic emergency braking, lane departure warnings and adaptive cruise control.
The PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement scheme, known as PM E-DRIVE, has a total outlay of ₹10,900 crore and is operational until 31 March 2028.
Of this, ₹780 crore has been allocated specifically for upgrading testing agencies across the country to handle the certification requirements of newer vehicle technologies.
Certification capacity
India’s automotive testing and certification infrastructure has faced pressure as manufacturers shift production towards electric vehicles and integrate more electronic systems into conventional vehicles.
The testing requirements for EVs differ substantially from those for internal combustion engine vehicles, particularly in battery safety, thermal management and electromagnetic compatibility.
By the numbers
Key figures from this story- ₹221.13 crore
- GARC allocation under PM E-DRIVE
- ₹10,900 crore
- Total PM E-DRIVE scheme outlay
- 3,000 fps
- Maximum crash test camera recording speed
GARC, located in Oragadam on the outskirts of Chennai, provides vehicle and component testing, research and development, homologation and certification services. Its facilities cover powertrain testing, emissions measurement, EMC testing, fatigue testing, electric vehicle evaluation and safety testing.
The ministry said the upgrades represent a step towards strengthening domestic testing and certification capabilities. Manufacturers currently seeking certification for EVs and vehicles with advanced electronic systems face limited domestic testing capacity, with some tests requiring facilities abroad.
The installation of the high-speed imaging system addresses a specific gap in crash test analysis. At 3,000 frames per second, the cameras can capture events lasting milliseconds, such as the precise timing of airbag inflation or the sequence in which different parts of a vehicle structure deform during impact. This level of detail is necessary both for certification purposes and for manufacturers seeking to improve vehicle designs.
Your Questions, Answered
What is GARC and what does it do?
The Global Automotive Research Centre is a government-authorised testing agency in Chennai that provides vehicle and component testing, homologation and certification for automotive manufacturers.
How much funding has GARC received under PM E-DRIVE?
GARC has been allocated ₹221.13 crore under the PM E-DRIVE scheme to upgrade its testing infrastructure for electric vehicles, batteries and advanced safety systems.
What is the PM E-DRIVE scheme?
PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement is a government scheme with ₹10,900 crore outlay to support EV adoption, including ₹780 crore for upgrading automotive testing agencies.
What new testing capabilities is GARC adding?
GARC is adding EV battery testing, EMI/EMC testing, ADAS testing, heavy commercial vehicle testing, advanced crash test equipment and high-speed cameras recording at up to 3,000 frames per second.
