Mahindra & Mahindra has increased its investment in Tamil Nadu's EV infrastructure by more than 500 crore, as the top automaker is speeding up the creation of EV platforms in order to release electric SUVs.

At Mahindra Research Valley, the premier R&D and Innovation hub of the Mahindra Group, the business invested 210 crore to build an EV battery test lab. Through a video call, State Chief Minister MK Stalin officially inaugurated the new facility.

The new EV battery test laboratory serves the need to test the batteries’ suitability in safety-critical driving situations and for vehicle safety. “This lab will allow us to undertake EV battery tests at temperatures from -40 to 80°C,” R Velusamy, President, Automotive Technology and Product Development, Mahindra & Mahindra said.

He said more than 1,000 people were working on the EV-related areas as part of the company’s R&D operations.

Mahindra is also setting up an EV crash test unit at the Mahindra SUV Proving Track (MSPT) at Cheyyar near Chennai at an investment of ₹290 crore. State Chief Minister kick-started work for the project through video mode.