ARAI Opens Advanced Battery and Electric Powertrain Testing Facilities in Pune

The Automotive Research Association of India has inaugurated an Advanced Battery Laboratory and a two-dynamometer electric-axle and EV powertrain testing facility in Pune. The battery laboratory was developed with an investment of about ₹55 crore under a Ministry of Heavy Industries programme supporting the competitiveness of India's capital-goods sector.

ARAI said the laboratories will support battery safety assessment, performance evaluation, design validation, certification and export-compliance testing for electric and hybrid vehicles. The powertrain facility is intended for the development, validation and optimisation of electric propulsion systems and e-axles.

The institute also announced a road-safety outreach campaign and an agreement connected with a proposed advanced crash-test facility. The planned expansion is expected to support Bharat NCAP, regulatory testing and export homologation while reducing dependence on overseas facilities. The actual impact will depend on utilisation by manufacturers and the pace at which the additional infrastructure becomes operational.