"NHEV Launches 3rd Tech Trial in Tamil Nadu to Transform Highways into E-Highways"

The National Highways for Electric Vehicles (NHEV), an initiative by the Government of India, has launched its third tech trial to convert five highways in Tamil Nadu into electric highways. This pilot follows successful trials in Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra, which have provided valuable insights into the deployment and management of electric and zero-emission vehicles.

The Tamil Nadu trial will focus on five key routes: Trichy to Chennai, Trichy to Madurai, Coimbatore to Ulundurpet, Krishnagiri to Madurai, and Madurai to Kanyakumari. For the first time, this trial will include not only electric SUVs and buses but also electric, hydrogen, and zero-emission freight vehicles.

The collected data will be used to determine optimal locations and frequency for charging stations, evaluate associated costs, and assess the investment needed for the highway upgrades.

“This trial marks a shift in focus to include freight and logistics components,” said Abhijit Sinha, Programme Director at NHEV. “We’re integrating logistical aspects to evaluate the deployment of electric, hydrogen, and zero-emission trucks on a 5,500 km e-highway currently under upgrade by NHEV.”

Despite lower operating costs compared to diesel, hydrogen and electric trucks are not yet widely available for commercial use. This trial aims to gather real-time data to support their initial deployment, following earlier e-mobility pilot projects for electric buses and SUVs.

Tamil Nadu was chosen for this project due to its significant role in India's logistics sector and its potential to become a one-trillion-dollar economy. The state is a hub for automobiles, logistics, and trucking in southern India, and also hosts numerous industries and manufacturing units.

The initiative aims to reduce logistics costs in India from 14% to 9%. As trucking is a major contributor to these expenses, Tamil Nadu’s advancements could serve as a model for other states. “Our goal is to decarbonize the trucking industry and transition to zero-emission trucking,” Sinha added.

HBL