Bengaluru: Karnataka is inching closer to having its own “electric vehicle city”, with as much as 80 acres of land being identified for the purpose. Land for the project is being looked at in and around a 100km radius of Bengaluru, with locations scouted in Tumakuru, Ramanagara, and Chikkaballapur.
A consultation meeting was held Thursday, where major players driving the infrastructure initiative met IT-BT department officials. An industry consortium will compile recommendations for creating a comprehensive ecosystem for EVs and related components within Karnataka before these vehicles go to the market.The IT-BT department decided on the project following stakeholder concerns that despite the state having the country’s highest concentration of original equipment and component manufacturers, it lacks a dedicated EV testing and validation facility. Manjula N, principal secretary, IT-BT, told TOI the consultation on Thursday was held to understand industry requirements. “It gave us better clarity while planning the city. Some are starting out and need support accordingly. Mid-sized industries require support in research, while larger ones need research and development (R&D). The land we are exploring is around Bengaluru, as it is difficult within the city. We are exploring three parcels, and have deputed the industry association to finalise,” she added.The IAS officer said there are two places — Manesar and Pune — where govt agencies or autonomous bodies verify vehicles before they go to the market. Karnataka is looking to set up a branch of this in the state.Arjun Gurudev, co-founder, Evotron Motorsports, which tests and designs tracks, told TOI: “While we have the biggest ecosystem for EVs in India, and the highest number of startups in the sector, we still have to take vehicles to NCR, Pune, Indore, and Chennai for testing, which adds to the cost of development. Having an EV city will complete the ecosystem of testing and certification mandated by the Automotive Research Association of India. We are looking at testing and certification, skill development, employment opportunities through manufacturing, assembly, R&D, and training.”
