(From Left) Shri. Prasan Firodia, Vice President – ARAI GC, MD – Force Motors; Shri. H. D. Kumaraswamy, Hon’ble Union Minister of Heavy Industries and Steel, GoI; Shri. Reji Mathai, Director – ARAI.
The Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) marked its Diamond Jubilee year with an event hosting the Union Heavy Industries Minister Mr. H.D. Kumaraswamy. He virtually inaugurated two new facilities: an Advanced Battery Laboratory and an Advanced Two-Dynamometer E-Axle and EV Powertrain Test Facility.
The battery laboratory was built under the Ministry of Heavy Industries’ Enhancement of Competitiveness in the Indian Capital Goods Sector – Phase II scheme, with a total investment of about ₹55 crore, including support from the ministry and ARAI. It will test battery safety, performance and design validation for electric and hybrid vehicles, and support certification and export compliance. The e-axle facility will support the design, validation and optimisation of electric powertrains and e-axles.
ARAI also signed an MoU with Skoda Auto Volkswagen India for the transfer of a land parcel to build an Advanced Crash Test Facility. It is meant to cover conventional and battery electric vehicles, support Bharat NCAP, homologation and export approvals, and reduce reliance on overseas testing.
(From Left) Shri. Prasan Firodia, VP-ARAI GC; Shri. Piyush Arora, MD & CEO, SAVWIPL; Shri. H. D. Kumaraswamy, Hon’ble Union Minister of Heavy Industries and Steel; Shri. Reji Mathai, Director, ARAI; Shri. Abhijeet Bansode, Director Postal Services, Pune Postal Region; Shri. Manoj Kumar Madholia, Director, MHI.
The institute launched a nationwide Road Safety Outreach Campaign, announced SIAT 2028 (Symposium on International Automotive Technology), and released a commemorative India Post “My Stamp” marking ARAI@60. It also launched the ARAI-AMTIF website and plans advanced fire safety testing facilities.
“The facilities inaugurated and initiatives launched today will further enhance the country’s capabilities in electric mobility, advanced battery technologies and vehicle safety,” said Mr. Kumaraswamy.
