Chennai: The National Highways for Electric Vehicles (NHEV) has initiated its third Tech Trial Run in Tamil Nadu, to transform five key highways into e-highways.
This trial encompasses a 332 km stretch from Chennai to Trichy and will introduce electric, hydrogen, and zero-emission freight vehicles, a first for the region. Earlier trials were concentrated on electric SUVs and buses.
Dr. P. Alarmelmangai, IAS, inaugurated the trial at the Chennai Trade Centre, accompanied by officials from the Tamil Nadu government and representatives from the industry. The aim is to explore the viability of Zero-Emission Trucks (ZET) and other sustainable vehicles on the state’s highways.
The trial is set to enable stakeholders to evaluate the economic viability of electric and hydrogen vehicles compared to diesel, the total cost of ownership for electric buses or trucks, and the necessary investment for e-highway infrastructure enhancements. This initiative is in line with India’s commitment to fostering zero-emission transport for a more sustainable future.
Abhijit Sinha, the Program Director of NHEV, mentioned that the trial will concentrate on the freight and logistics sectors, with plans to incorporate electric, hydrogen, and ZET vehicles into the 5500 km e-highway network. The trial aims to collect actionable data to facilitate the introduction of electric trucks, which are currently not commercially utilized.
Spanning five principal routes, such as Trichy to Chennai and Madurai to Kanyakumari, the trial will assist in identifying the most suitable locations for charging stations and their associated costs. Additionally, the project seeks to lower India’s logistics expenses from 14% to 9% by making the trucking industry more eco-friendly.
Tamil Nadu was selected for this trial due to its pivotal role in the logistics and automotive industries, contributing significantly to India’s economy. The insights gained from NHEV’s preceding trials in Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra have been instrumental in planning for electric mobility, and the outcomes from the Tamil Nadu trial are anticipated to be equally informative for the advancement of e-highways.
