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The Global Automotive Research Centre (GARC) is upgrading its automotive testing infrastructure under the Government of India’s PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) scheme. The upgraded infrastructure will include testing facilities for electric vehicles, batteries, advanced safety systems and emerging automotive technologies.
GARC operates under the National Automotive Board of the Ministry of Heavy Industries and is an authorised testing agency under Rule 126 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules. Its existing capabilities include vehicle and component testing, research and development, homologation and certification across areas such as powertrains, emissions, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), fatigue, electric vehicles and safety testing.
The government has allocated 221.13 crore to GARC for the infrastructure upgrades, with purchase orders issued for almost all the proposed equipment. The PM E-DRIVE scheme has a total outlay of ₹10,900 crore, including ₹780 crore for upgrading testing agencies. The scheme is operational until March 31, 2028.
As part of the upgrade, GARC is developing electric vehicle and EV battery testing facilities compliant with AIS-156. It is also adding EV electromagnetic interference (EMI) and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) testing capabilities under AIS-004 Part 3 Rev.1.
GARC is also establishing a heavy commercial vehicle testing facility and upgrading its powertrain laboratory. The centre is adding advanced passive safety testing equipment, including dummies and dummy calibration systems, along with ADAS testing equipment and soft targets. Automotive component testing facilities are also being established or upgraded.
Installation of the procured equipment has already begun. One of the new additions is a high-speed, high-resolution imaging system featuring UHD-4K cameras capable of recording at up to 750 frames per second (fps). In Full HD mode, the system can record footage at up to 3,000 fps.
The imaging system will be used during frontal, side and rear crash tests to capture vehicle deformation, occupant movement and airbag deployment. The recorded footage will support safety analysis and homologation activities.
The infrastructure being developed at GARC under PM E-DRIVE is expected to expand India’s domestic testing and certification capabilities for EVs, batteries, advanced safety systems, ADAS, heavy commercial vehicles and other emerging automotive technologies. The upgrades will also strengthen GARC’s role as a testing and research centre focused on vehicle electrification, safety and advanced automotive systems.
