The State Planning Commission (SPC) of Tamil Nadu has introduced an ambitious six-point policy framework aimed at positioning the state as a global leader in sustainable mobility and electric vehicle (EV) innovation. The report, titled “Tamil Nadu’s Automotive Future,” was formally presented to Chief Minister M.K. Stalin by Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin and SPC Executive Chairman J. Jeyaranjan at the State Secretariat.
The SPC’s vision is to evolve Tamil Nadu from a traditional automotive manufacturing base into a hub for deep mobility innovation. The report underscores the importance of providing both institutional and financial support to facilitate cutting-edge research, intellectual property (IP) development, and advanced product design.
A cornerstone recommendation is the establishment of the Tamil Nadu Mobility Innovation Fund, which would co-finance high-risk, high-reward R&D in key areas including battery technology, hydrogen propulsion, EV operating systems, energy management software, and lightweight materials.
The roadmap further advocates the development of dedicated mobility R&D zones in Chennai, Coimbatore, and Hosur—existing EV manufacturing hubs. These zones will feature shared infrastructure such as battery testing labs, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) facilities, simulation platforms, and vehicle testing tracks.
Boosting Talent, Startups, and Infrastructure to Accelerate EV Growth
To bridge the talent gap in core R&D roles, the SPC recommends launching the Mobility Skills 2030 programme, offering specialised training in EV powertrains, embedded systems, battery technology, and logistics analytics. This initiative targets better utilisation of Tamil Nadu’s large pool of engineering graduates—currently producing over 1.5 lakh graduates annually.
The report also encourages deeper academic-industry collaboration with institutions like IIT Madras and Anna University. It proposes fellowships, startup grants, and plug-and-play access to public R&D labs for MSMEs and emerging mobility startups.
For equitable economic growth, the roadmap calls for incentives for mobility companies setting up operations in non-urban districts. On infrastructure, the SPC urges swift deployment of public EV charging stations across highways, urban centres, and industrial zones.
The Commission emphasized the need for time-bound incentives to boost the adoption of commercial EVs, especially in the electric truck and small commercial vehicle (e-SCV) segments. Without proactive measures, it warned that EV penetration in heavy commercial vehicles may remain below 20% by 2030.To ensure effective implementation, the report proposes the formation of a Mobility Innovation and Growth Council and a statewide EV charging infrastructure master plan, along with EV-ready building codes for long-term sustainability.
With inputs from IANS
