Auroville, near Puducherry, is set to become home to the fourth campus of the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras), with a strong emphasis on sustainability and cutting-edge technology. Spanning 100 acres, the new campus will feature a 20-acre test track dedicated to electric trucks, forming part of the Centre of Excellence for Zero Emission Trucking (CoEZET).

IIT Madras Director V. Kamakoti announced that operations at the new campus are expected to begin within the next two to three months. The initiative aligns with Auroville’s vision of sustainable development while addressing key challenges in India’s electric vehicle (EV) sector, including battery technology and charging infrastructure.

Union Additional Secretary for the Ministry of Heavy Industries, Hanif Qureshi, acknowledged India’s slow progress in EV adoption and underscored the urgency of developing indigenous solutions to reduce dependence on imported components.

IIT Madras has also introduced various programs, such as a web-enabled MTech in eMobility for working professionals and a certificate course on eMobility, aimed at equipping individuals with expertise in EV technology.

This strategic expansion reinforces IIT Madras’ commitment to pioneering research and education in sustainability and technological innovation, further strengthening India’s push towards cleaner and more efficient transportation solutions.