NHEV commences 3rd tech trial in Tamil Nadu

12 Sep 2024 CW Team

It was stated that the data gathered would assist in identifying optimal locations for charging stations, their frequency, costs, and overall investment to upgrade these highways into e-highways. Abhijit Sinha, Programme Director at NHEV, had reportedly mentioned that this trial shifted the focus to ensuring that highway upgrades also included freight and logistics components. He had added that logistical aspects were being integrated to assess the deployment of electric, hydrogen, and zero-emission vehicles on the 5,500 km e-highway currently under upgrade.

Despite hydrogen and electric trucks having lower operating costs compared to diesel, they were not yet widely available for commercial use. This trial, as Sinha explained, was designed to collect real-time data to support their initial deployment, similar to previous e-mobility pilot projects for electric buses and SUVs under the Ease of Doing Business programme.

Tamil Nadu had been selected after a thorough evaluation of its potential contributions. Positioned to become a one-trillion-dollar economy, the state played a crucial role in India’s logistics sector, serving as a hub for automobiles, logistics, and trucking in southern India. It also housed numerous industries, including component suppliers, steel and cement manufacturers, and other manufacturing units. The project aimed to reduce India’s logistics costs from 14% to 9%, with Tamil Nadu’s progress in reducing trucking costs potentially serving as a model for other states. Sinha had emphasised the focus on decarbonising the trucking industry and transitioning to zero-emission freight vehicles.

The National Highways for Electric Vehicles (NHEV), an initiative by the Government of India, had launched its third tech trial run aimed at upgrading five of Tamil Nadu’s highways into electric highways. This project followed successful trials in Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra, which helped stakeholders plan the deployment and management of electric vehicles, including cars, buses, and SUVs. The third trial in Tamil Nadu would focus on five routes, namely Trichy to Chennai, Trichy to Madurai, Coimbatore to Ulundurpet, Krishnagiri to Madurai, and Madurai to Kanyakumari. For the first time, electric, hydrogen, and zero-emission freight vehicles were to be included, alongside the previously tested electric SUVs and buses. It was stated that the data gathered would assist in identifying optimal locations for charging stations, their frequency, costs, and overall investment to upgrade these highways into e-highways. Abhijit Sinha, Programme Director at NHEV, had reportedly mentioned that this trial shifted the focus to ensuring that highway upgrades also included freight and logistics components. He had added that logistical aspects were being integrated to assess the deployment of electric, hydrogen, and zero-emission vehicles on the 5,500 km e-highway currently under upgrade. Despite hydrogen and electric trucks having lower operating costs compared to diesel, they were not yet widely available for commercial use. This trial, as Sinha explained, was designed to collect real-time data to support their initial deployment, similar to previous e-mobility pilot projects for electric buses and SUVs under the Ease of Doing Business programme. Tamil Nadu had been selected after a thorough evaluation of its potential contributions. Positioned to become a one-trillion-dollar economy, the state played a crucial role in India’s logistics sector, serving as a hub for automobiles, logistics, and trucking in southern India. It also housed numerous industries, including component suppliers, steel and cement manufacturers, and other manufacturing units. The project aimed to reduce India’s logistics costs from 14% to 9%, with Tamil Nadu’s progress in reducing trucking costs potentially serving as a model for other states. Sinha had emphasised the focus on decarbonising the trucking industry and transitioning to zero-emission freight vehicles.

Infrastructure Urban

02 Jun 2026

VECV Sales Rise 7.8 Per Cent In May 2026

VE Commercial Vehicles recorded sales of 7,978 units in May 2026, compared to 7,401 units in May 2025, registering growth of 7.8 per cent. This included 7,789 units from the Eicher brand and 189 units from the Volvo brand.Eicher branded trucks and buses reported sales of 7,789 units during the month, up 7.3 per cent from 7,258 units a year earlier. In the domestic commercial vehicle market, Eicher sales rose 9.1 per cent to 7,375 units from 6,758 units in May 2025.Exports declined 17.2 per cent to 414 units from 500 units in the corresponding month last year. Volvo Trucks and Volvo Buses recor..

Infrastructure Urban

02 Jun 2026

Table Space Strengthens DESYN Leadership Team

Table Space has announced strategic leadership appointments within DESYN, its integrated Design and Build business, as it looks to strengthen operations across key enterprise and GCC markets in India. DESYN was launched as a strategic extension of Table Space’s workspace solutions portfolio to meet rising demand for agile, high-quality and rapidly deployable enterprise workspaces.Shruti Ookabhoy has joined DESYN as Executive Director and will lead the Design vertical, focusing on design capability, operational excellence and team development across markets. She brings over 22 years of experi..

Infrastructure Transport

02 Jun 2026

Concord Associate Bags Rs 2.79 Bn Kavach Order

Concord Control Systems said its associate company, Progota India, has received a Rs 2.79 bn domestic order from Indian Railways for the supply, installation, testing and commissioning of on-board Kavach 4.0 loco equipment.The order is scheduled for execution within 12 months and strengthens Concord’s role in India’s railway safety and signalling ecosystem. Kavach is India’s indigenous automatic train protection system, designed to improve operational safety by helping prevent signal passing at danger and reducing collision risks.Gaurav Lath, Joint Managing Director, Concord Control Syst..