South India’s first International Centre for Automotive Technology may come up in Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh is set to become home to South India’s first International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT), marking a significant milestone for the Indian automotive industry. The proposed facility will strengthen vehicle homologation, automotive testing, certification, and research capabilities while improving support for electric vehicle manufacturers and automotive companies across South India. VIJAYAWADA: Andhra Pradesh is likely to become the first state in South India to have an International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT), which will have facilities for homologation and testing of newly-manufactured automobiles.

Currently, the other two locations where these centres are set up are Gurugram and Pune. Speaking to TNIE on Monday, New and Renewable Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh (NREDCAP) vice-chairman and managing director S Ramana Reddy said on invitation, a team from ICAT-New Delhi convened a meeting with representatives of leading automobile manufacturing companies such as Ashok Leyland and KIA Motors, and Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation Limited (APIIC) in Vijayawada a few days ago.The proposed ICAT centre is expected to reduce certification timelines, improve access to advanced testing infrastructure, and support India’s rapidly growing automotive and electric vehicle ecosystem. It will also enable manufacturers to complete homologation and regulatory approvals more efficiently.

During the course of the meeting, ICAT representatives expressed their interest in setting up a laboratory in the state to extend facilities such as certification and homologation, design and engineering, research and development, testing and validation, consultancy, power train development, training and calibration to South India. The new testing facility will provide manufacturers with comprehensive automotive testing services, including vehicle certification, component validation, powertrain development, calibration, and engineering support under one roof.

The ICAT representatives have asked the APIIC to facilitate enough land for setting up the research centre and assured of providing investments for the project. They are expected to come back during the second week of March and convene another round of discussions with the automobile manufacturing companies in Vijayawada or Anantapur, to consider their requirements and steps to be taken to set up the facilities in the proposed research centre, he said.

Asked about the role of the NREDCAP in the proposed project, Reddy said the corporation was the nodal agency for electric vehicles and mobility policy. As part of it, all the electric vehicles, newly manufactured, should get certified from agencies such as ICAT before they are sold it in the market. “At present, the certification procedure of newly-manufactured vehicles is taking at least three-to-four months. We have requested the ICAT to establish a research centre in the state,” he said, adding the centre has sought a 250-acre land for the purpose.

Elaborating further, NREDCAP VC and MD said of the total 250 acre land sought by the ICAT representatives, around 10 acres would be allocated for building and testing laboratory and the remaining 240 acre land for vehicle, engine and component testing, vehicle evaluation, electromagnetic compatibility test, noise, and vibration, harshness and tyre tests. Apart from that, they also specified a 2 km long track 
with 800 metres width for materialization of the project, he said.

“We have enough land banks in the state and the ICAT representatives are asking for a huge land bank near KIA Motors in Anantapur or in Sri City near Nellore. In case of land scarcity in Anantapur and Nellore districts, we are ready to provide such land in and around Vijayawada,” Reddy said.

What This Means for the Automotive Industry

The establishment of South India’s first International Centre for Automotive Technology is expected to boost automotive manufacturing, vehicle homologation, and research capabilities across the region. It will benefit passenger vehicle, commercial vehicle, electric vehicle, and automotive component manufacturers by improving access to world-class testing and certification facilities.

Conclusion

The proposed South India’s first International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT) in Andhra Pradesh is expected to be a significant milestone for India’s automotive industry. By expanding access to advanced vehicle homologation, automotive testing, certification, and research facilities, the centre will help manufacturers reduce approval timelines, improve product quality, and accelerate innovation. As India’s automotive and electric vehicle sectors continue to grow, such world-class infrastructure will play a crucial role in strengthening compliance, safety, and global competitiveness.

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About Devendra Automobile

Devendra Automobile is a trusted automotive homologation and certification consultancy in India, providing expert assistance for vehicle homologation, CMVR compliance, AIS certification, prototype approvals, automotive testing coordination, and regulatory documentation. Our experienced team works closely with automobile manufacturers, component suppliers, and EV companies to simplify the certification process, ensure regulatory compliance, and support faster product approvals across India.

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FAQs

1. What is the International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT)?

ICAT is one of India’s leading automotive testing and certification organizations, providing services such as vehicle homologation, automotive testing, certification, research and development, engineering support, and regulatory compliance for automobile manufacturers.

2. Why is South India’s first ICAT centre important?

The proposed ICAT centre will improve access to automotive testing, certification, and homologation services in South India, helping manufacturers reduce approval timelines and support innovation in conventional and electric vehicles.

3. What services will the proposed ICAT centre provide?

The centre is expected to offer vehicle homologation, automotive testing, component testing, powertrain development, research and development, testing and validation, calibration, consultancy, and certification services.

4. How will the new ICAT centre benefit automotive manufacturers in Pune?

Although the proposed facility will be established in Andhra Pradesh, manufacturers in Pune can benefit from expanded automotive testing and homologation infrastructure in India. Increased testing capacity can help reduce certification timelines and improve access to regulatory compliance services for vehicle and component manufacturers.

5. Does Devendra Automobile provide vehicle homologation services in Pune?

Yes. Devendra Automobile offers professional vehicle homologation, CMVR compliance, AIS certification, automotive testing coordination, and regulatory documentation services in Pune, helping manufacturers complete the certification process efficiently and in compliance with Indian automotive standards.

6. Why choose Devendra Automobile for homologation and certification services?

Devendra Automobile has extensive experience in automotive regulatory compliance and provides end-to-end support for vehicle homologation, testing coordination, certification documentation, and approval processes, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free experience for manufacturers.

News Source :- https://www.newindianexpress.com | Published On 25th February 2020 10:13 AMHow Devendra Automobile Supports Vehicle Homologation