Karnataka is planning to set up a dedicated electric vehicle (EV) city near Bengaluru to strengthen the state’s electric mobility ecosystem. The proposal was discussed during an industry consultation held on February 5, 2026, by the Department of Electronics, IT and Biotechnology, chaired by IT-BT Minister Priyank Kharge Electronics for you Business reported.
The proposed EV City will be developed on more than 100 acres of land within a two-hour drive from Bengaluru. It is expected to serve as a central hub for innovation, testing and validation for the electric vehicle sector, supporting the entire EV value chain at a single location.
More than 30 companies attended the consultation, including EV manufacturers, battery technology firms, component suppliers and mobility start-ups. Officials said industry feedback would help shape the final design and implementation plan for the project.
A key component of the EV City will be a 50-acre integrated proving and testing facility. Planned infrastructure includes outdoor test tracks, simulated urban roads, gradient and hill-testing zones, and facilities for validating advanced driver assistance systems. The project will also provide space for EV software development and cybersecurity testing.
The city is expected to host original equipment manufacturers, MSMEs and SME suppliers, along with incubators and shared facilities. Charging infrastructure testbeds, vehicle performance evaluation, roadworthiness certification and benchmarking of EV components are also part of the plan.
Additionally, the project will feature a Centre of Excellence focused on EVs and battery technologies, as well as a skilling and talent academy. Training programmes will be designed for both engineering professionals and shop-floor workers, while common facilities will be available on a pay-as-you-use basis to support start-ups.
Kharge noted that Karnataka was among the first states to introduce a dedicated EV and energy storage policy. He said the state accounts for nearly one-fifth of India’s EV sales and has around 5,400 public charging stations.
He added that partnerships with national testing agencies such as the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) and the International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT) would help local companies reduce the time and cost involved in testing and certification, which often requires travel outside the state.
