The Global Automotive Research Centre (GARC) at Oragadam in Chennai is receiving Rs 221.13 crore to modernize its vehicle testing infrastructure under the PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) Scheme, a flagship government initiative to promote electric and advanced vehicle technologies in India.
GARC, which operates under the National Automotive Board within the Ministry of Heavy Industries, is an authorized testing agency responsible for vehicle and component certification across emissions, safety, electrical systems and durability. The upgrade is part of a broader Rs 10,900 crore PM E-DRIVE outlay that includes Rs 780 crore dedicated to strengthening testing agencies nationwide.
Key facts
- GARC allocation: Rs 221.13 crore
- Total PM E-DRIVE scheme outlay: Rs 10,900 crore
- Testing agency upgrades portion: Rs 780 crore
- Scheme operational period: up to 31 March 2028
- GARC location: Oragadam, Chennai
- Purchase orders: issued for nearly all proposed equipment
- Camera system capability: UHD-4K at 750 frames per second, Full HD at 3,000 fps
What facilities are being upgraded
Installation of new and upgraded testing facilities at GARC has begun. The centre is establishing dedicated infrastructure for electric vehicle and battery testing aligned with Indian standards (AIS-156), electromagnetic interference and compatibility testing, heavy commercial vehicle assessment, and powertrain laboratory enhancements.
A significant addition is an advanced passive safety testing facility equipped with high-speed, high-resolution imaging technology. The system uses UHD-4K cameras capable of recording at 750 frames per second and Full HD recording at 3,000 frames per second. This equipment will enable detailed frontal, side and rear crash testing by capturing vehicle deformation, occupant movement and airbag deployment in real time, critical information for safety homologation and certification.
GARC is also establishing Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) testing capabilities, including instruments and soft targets, and will upgrade its component testing operations to handle emerging automotive technologies.
Why this matters for India’s automotive sector
India’s automotive industry is transitioning towards electric vehicles and advanced safety technologies to meet global standards and customer expectations. Currently, many Indian manufacturers rely on overseas testing centres for vehicle certification, which increases costs and timelines. By strengthening GARC’s capabilities, the government aims to build indigenous testing and homologation capacity, reducing dependence on foreign facilities.
The upgrade supports battery testing, a critical area as India manufactures and assembles battery packs for electric vehicles. It also enables local validation of ADAS and passive safety features, which are becoming standard in new vehicles and mandatory in many global markets.
Connection to PM E-DRIVE scheme
Launched by the Government of India, the PM E-DRIVE Scheme promotes adoption of electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers and four-wheelers through incentives and infrastructure development. Testing and certification infrastructure is a foundational requirement because homologation ensures vehicles meet safety and emissions standards before sale. By upgrading GARC and other testing agencies, the scheme removes technical bottlenecks that manufacturers face when developing and launching new electric vehicles.
What this means for you
If you are an automotive engineer, researcher or manufacturer, GARC’s upgraded facilities will provide faster, domestically available testing and certification services, reducing time to market and costs for new vehicle launches. Students in automotive engineering will have access to world-class testing infrastructure for research and practical training.
As a consumer, better testing infrastructure ensures electric vehicles and advanced safety systems sold in India have undergone rigorous domestic validation, raising confidence in product quality and safety before purchase. It also supports the government’s goal of making India a hub for electric vehicle manufacturing, which could eventually expand job opportunities in the automotive sector.
What happens next
Equipment installation is currently underway at GARC. The scheme remains operational until 31 March 2028, providing a timeline for completion of the upgrade and full operationalization of the new testing facilities.