IIT Madras Unveils EV Labs To Advance Battery & Charging Tech

IIT Madras Unveils EV Labs To Advance Battery & Charging Tech

The Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT Madras) has launched ‘Zero e-mission,’ a comprehensive set of e-mobility initiatives spanning various domains, including Education, Skilling, Research, Policy, Outreach, and Safety. Led by the Department of Engineering Design at IIT Madras, these initiatives aim to foster strong industry collaborations to accelerate India’s EV transition.

The initiatives launched include:

• EV Battery Engineering Lab – A state-of-the-art facility dedicated to battery performance analysis and optimization for electric vehicles, focusing on key aspects of battery technology.
• Battery Charging Infrastructure Laboratory – A pioneering research facility developing advanced charging solutions for EVs, including Onboard & Offboard Chargers, Extreme Fast Charging (XFC) solutions, Wireless Charging Systems, Battery Swapping, and Grid Integration.
• Certificate Programme on eMobility – A 100-hour online course designed to equip professionals with cutting-edge knowledge in EV technology.
• Web-Enabled M.Tech in E-Mobility – A specialized degree program designed for working professionals looking to advance in EV technology.

These initiatives were launched on the IIT Madras campus on March 24, 2025, in the presence of Hanif Qureshi, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Heavy Industries, Government of India, along with Guests of Honour Preeti Banzal, Scientist G, Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor, Government of India, and P.K. Banerjee, Executive Director, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM).

Battery Electric Truck FMEA Report

A technical report titled ‘Safe Electrification of Battery Electric Trucks for Inflammable and Hazardous Goods Transportation’ was also unveiled. This report provides an in-depth evaluation of battery chemistries, past fire incidents, and real-world feasibility for the safe and efficient deployment of Battery Electric Trucks (BETs). It identifies potential risks such as thermal runaway, fire hazards, and grid integration issues while offering solutions to enhance safety and reliability.

The CoEZET, IIT Madras, in collaboration with RLE India and RLE FutureMotiv, UK, also released a report on ‘Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) for Battery Electric Trucks (BETs)’. This study presents a structured risk assessment methodology to improve the reliability and safety of BETs in India’s challenging operating conditions. The report serves as a valuable resource for OEMs, policymakers, researchers, and engineers, offering insights to strengthen BET design and deployment.

Covering five key subsystems—Electrical, Chassis, Propulsion, High-Voltage Energy Management, and Interior Systems—the report follows the AIAG-VDA methodology to identify potential failure modes, assess risks, and propose mitigation strategies. It also considers real-world challenges such as extreme temperatures, flooding, and overloading, ensuring BET design improvements align with industry standards like ISO 26262.