National Highways for Electric Vehicles (NHEV) has launched its 3rd Tech Trial Run of electric vehicles in Tamil Nadu, aiming to upgrade five major highways into e-highways.
The trial will cover a 332 km route from Chennai to Trichy, featuring electric, hydrogen, and zero-emission freight vehicles for the first time. Previous trials focused on electric SUVs and buses.
The trial was flagged off at the Chennai Trade Centre by Dr. P. Alarmelmangai, IAS, along with Tamil Nadu government officials and industry partners. This initiative seeks to evaluate the potential of Zero-Emission Trucks (ZET) and other eco-friendly vehicles on Tamil Nadu’s highways.
The trial will help stakeholders assess the cost-effectiveness of electric versus diesel and hydrogen vehicles, the total ownership cost for electric buses or trucks, and the investment needed for e-highway infrastructure upgrades. It aligns with India’s efforts to promote zero-emission transportation for a greener future.
Abhijit Sinha, NHEV Program Director, shared that the trial will focus on freight and logistics, aiming to integrate electric, hydrogen, and ZET vehicles on the 5500 km e-highway network. This trial will help gather real-time data to support the deployment of electric trucks, which are not yet in business use.
The trial covers five key routes, including Trichy to Chennai and Madurai to Kanyakumari, and will help determine optimal charging station locations and costs. The project also aims to reduce India’s logistics costs from 14% to 9% by decarbonizing the trucking industry.
Tamil Nadu, a major hub for the logistics and automotive sectors, was chosen for its strategic importance in India’s economy. NHEV’s previous trials in Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra have already helped stakeholders plan for electric mobility, and Tamil Nadu’s trial is expected to provide valuable insights for the future of e-highways.
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