The facility will have all types of surface to test vehicles on varying terrains and stringency. The mandate of NATRAX proving ground is to offer world-class testing and evaluation services catering for all categories of vehicles from 2 and 3 wheelers to heavy commercial vehicles.  NATRAX will also emerge as a Centre of Excellence for Vehicle Dynamics catering to the design and development activities of OEMs and tyre manufacturers in the country and abroad with the capability to undertake testing and R&D projects in the area for optimization of ride and handling, chassis and suspension tuning, full vehicle characterization, modelling and simulation etc.  The test tracks at NATRAX, which are meant primarily for R&D tests for automotive and auto component sector, can also be used for homologation tests. These test tracks are open air laboratories with stringent specifications and quality control to meet International standards.

NATRiP has planned an expenditure of about INR1,300 Crores to create this world class facility. Facilities at the center include R&D Tracks (Proving Ground) for NVH, fatigue and other performance testing, vehicle dynamics lab (Center of Excellence) and powertrain lab for development tests. NATRAX will be the largest automotive proving ground in Asia and one of the largest in the world.

The facility is a boon to the tyre industry for benchmarking of performance of their tyres.  It has also come in the right time when the concept of ‘Tyre Labeling’ has come into force with introduction of new standards for tyres viz., rolling resistance, wet grip and rolling noise emission parameters.

Facilities

NATRAX proving ground consists of 14 different types of test tracks viz., high speed track, dynamic platform, multi friction braking track, fatigue track, gradient track, gravel and off road track, handling track, comfort track, handling track for 2&3 wheelers, sustainability track, wet skid pad, noise track, general road along with dust tunnel, water wading trough, salted water wading trough, shower test rig etc. for comprehensive testing and evaluation, research & development and certification  of vehicles.

NATRAX also contains state-of-the-art vehicle dynamics lab and power train lab complimented by CAE Lab, instrumentation lab, client workshops and general storage building as support facilities.  The vehicle dynamics lab houses one of its kind facility in the country i.e. Kinematics and Compliance (K&C) Test rig for measurement of suspension parameters and damper test rig, elastomer test rig & steering test rig for measurement of performance of components, which can be used for mathematical modelling and prediction of performance using CAE tools and improve ride and handling characteristics in automobiles.  The power train Lab contains a Chassis Dynamometer coupled with Emission measurement system capable of benchmarking and testing compliance to emission norms of India, US, CARB, EPA, EURO and Japanese regulations.

Test capabilities

Tracks: Dynamic Platform : This is of 300 m diameter platform connected by 1.5 km long track of width varying from 20 m to 100 m with zero percent longitudinal slope designed with stringent evenness specifications.   This is the unique facility where High speed manoeuvrability and roll over stability of vehicles can be tested to the limits on this track.

Multi Friction Braking Track: This track has four different test surfaces like basalt tiles, ceramic tiles, polished concrete and high friction asphalt to offer varying friction values from low to high values.  Braking tests at 160 kmph, ABS tests with one side wheels on low friction and other side wheels on high friction surface, tyre development tests are undertaken on this track.  The track has facility to wet the surfaces uniformly through water sprinklers to undertake wet braking tests.  The track has also a special track on the side to test aqua planning.

Fatigue Track: This track has various torture track surfaces like pave track, pot holes, ditches, wash boards, herringbones, cobblestones, rough roads, splash road,  twist road etc for accelerated endurance testing of vehicles.  The track has two circuits one of low severity for testing upto cars and LCV’s and the other of high severity for testing buses and trucks.

Handling Track: This track is of 3.6 km length and 8 m width and has got serpentine curves of different radius varying from 20 m to 300 m and also with up and down gradients, reverse camber etc for testing high speed manoeuvrability / stability and road grip of vehicles on curves.

Handling Track for 2 and 3 Wheelers: There is a dedicated handling track for 2 and 3 wheelers of 1.5 km length and 5 m width with radii varying from 8 m to 20 m.

Gradient Track: The track has seven different gradients with percentage varying from 6 % to 30 % (6,8,12,18,20,24 & 30) for testing gradeability and parking brake capability of different vehicles.  All the tracks except 24 and 30 % have low friction surfaces also on the sides of gradients for testing vehicles with traction control systems.

Gravel and Off-Road Track: The track is of two loops of 3.5 km length and 5 m width each, the first loop with various gravels and the other with different forest / off – road patches like cross country, village roads, mud bowls, sand patches, mounds, steps, cants, twist ditches etc to assess the  mobility and durability of off-road vehicles.

Comfort Track: The comfort track contains different surfaces like smooth/rough asphalt, smooth/rough concrete, smooth/rough pave, wash boards, steps, cleats, bridge joints, village roads etc to assess the ride comfort in different road surfaces on different loads and speeds.

Sustainability Track: The sustainability track is built over a hill with uniform slope of 8 % over a length of 800 m and of 7 m width to assess the cooling performance of vehicles and also to test the effectiveness of retarders, transmission etc.

Wet Skid Pad: This track has been specially designed with combination of low and high friction surfaces of basalt tiles / asphalt combination on the circular pads with radius varying from 20 to 35 m to test wet cornering capabilities of tyres and vehicles.

Noise Track: The noise track has a unique feature with two different test patches complying with ISO 1994 and 2014 standards with acceleration and deceleration length of 350 m on both sides to be able to test the pass by noise levels of vehicles as per National/Inter-national standards.

High Speed Track: This is of oval shape and will be one of the largest in the world with total circuit length of 11.3 km and 16 m width.  The straight portion of the track is of 2.1 km length and the curved section of the track is of parabolic shape designed for testing at  250 kmph on curves as though travelling on straight roads.  A wide range of tests viz., high speed endurance tests, fuel consumption tests, coast down tests, noise & vibration measurements etc are undertaken on this track.  The construction of this track has been completed recently.

Labs

Vehicle Dynamics  Lab: There is a modern Test rig named Kinematics & Compliance (K&C) Test Rig in the Vehicle Dynamics Laboratory for testing suspension parameters  of Cars and LCV’s which can be used for mathematical modelling and prediction of performance using CAE tools and improve ride and handling characteristics in automobiles.   This is a unique facility in the country which the Indian automobile manufacturers have started using now  before which these  measurements were done abroad on their vehicles.  The lab also contains component test facilities such as damper test rig, elastomer test rig and steering test rigs for performance characterization and durability assessment.

Emission Test Lab: The Power Train Lab contains a Chassis Dynamometer to simulate road loads coupled with Emission measurement system capable of benchmarking and testing of cars and LCV ‘s for compliance to emission norms of India, US, CARB, EPA, EURO and Japanese regulations.

Current status

The Vehicle Dynamics Lab and Power Train Lab along with Client Workshops for support have already been commissioned and are being used by the Industry.  All 13 test tracks except the  High-speed track have  also  been completed already and  are  in use by the Industry.  As regards the high-speed track, the works  have been completed recently and its formal inauguration is awaited. (TT)

NATRAX discusses Budget impact on auto industry

The National Automotive Test Tracks (NATRAX), one of the state-of-the-art testing and certification centres under NATRiP, and a flagship project of the Ministry of Heavy Industries, Govt of India, recently discussed the impact of India’s Union Budget 2021-22 in the country’s automotive industry. The webinar was attended by customers of NATRAX/auto industry professionals. The purpose was to make the auto industry professionals aware of the new avenues proposed in this budget for the growth of the auto industry.

The expectation from the Union Budget speech was very high, especially as Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had promised to deliver a "first of its kind" and historic budget, the delegates observed.

NATRAX welcomed and appreciated the budget. There were seven presentations presented in the webinar wherein the speakers shared their knowledge on the budget pertaining to the auto industry and emphasised how NATRAX can support the requirements of testing and certification.

Dr N. Karuppaiah, Additional Director & Head, NATRAX delivered the welcome address and presented an overview of the budget focusing on six pillars- Health and Wellbeing, Physical & Financial Capital, and Infrastructure, Inclusive Development for Aspirational India, Reinvigorating Human Capital, and Minimum Government and Maximum Governance, of this budget.  He also highlighted the subjects relevant to Auto Industry and outlined the plans of NATRAX orienting to the Budget as under.

Sagar Bendre, Asst. The manager (T&D) at NATRAX, presented his paper on Budget Allocation for Highway Infrastructure.The proposed investment, he said, will boost construction equipment sales and the heavy truck and tipper industry and eventually also result in better demand from the rural and wage-earning community in the country. "Highways are coming up at a rapid pace, and accordingly, the crash barriers are also being installed along the highways. To maintain quality and standard requirements, specification in the crash barrier testing will be an important contribution from NATRAX. NATRAX is now known for the crash barrier testing facility. This is a unique test facility which NATRAX has performed independently and indigenously," said Bendre.

This year’s budget has allocated INR 18,000 crore to support augmentation of bus transport services for public.  Srihari SJ, Asst Manager (T&D), NATRAX, said this scheme will facilitate deployment of innovative PPP models to enable private sector players to finance, acquire, operate and maintain over 20,000 buses.  “The scheme will boost automotive sector, provide fillip to economic growth, create employment opportunities for youth and enhance ease of mobility for urban residents,” said Srihari. 

The emerging electric vehicles mobility paradigm is an important opportunity to foster Make–in-India for the advanced chemistry cells or EV batteries and their components, said Umesh Raghuwanshi, Asst. Manager (T&D) of NATRAX. Speaking on EV infrastructure, Raghuwanshi said, "GOI is providing modified special incentive package scheme and tax incentives that will help develop the indigenous testing and development ecosystem. Towards this NATRAX is working on the EV battery testing and development facility to work for the prospective EV makers to become self-reliant in the field of battery technology reducing the dependence on the import from China, Thailand and Japan."

"The budget outlay for the MSME sector has been doubled compared to last year. MSME dominates the auto component industry, and this will provide them with the necessary succour as the industry recovers," said Tulika Mazumdar, Sr. Engineer (P&TC) at NATRAX. He said start-ups in the automobile and allied industries can get immensely benefitted from NATRAX as the centre is equipped with state-of-the-art test tracks supplemented by the test laboratories for the components and system-level tests.

The government has also allocated INR 50,000 crore for National Research Foundation in this budget. JK Chakrabarty, Technical Advisor, said, "NATRAX, in association with prospective OEMs, will be working out projects in the areas of vehicle dynamics, Electric vehicle battery technology and vehicle testing. Suitable projects will be taken up in association with the National Research Foundation for funding. (TT)

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The European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers’ Association (ETRMA), alongside 13 other European business organisations, has signed a Joint Statement urging the European Commission to ensure a strong and ambitious implementation of the Data Act.

The coalition, including numerous SMEs and Small Mid-Caps from the digital and industrial sectors of European companies, has urged the European Commission to uphold the regulation against pressure to dilute its core provisions, identifying it as a crucial framework for unlocking industrial data across the EU economy. The signatories contend that a robust implementation is vital for fostering a competitive market and unleashing innovation, particularly for smaller businesses.

The coalition highlights the Act’s benefits, which include empowering SMEs with data portability rights, protecting them from unfair contractual terms and mandating that data sharing occurs on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory (FRAND) terms. A key provision requires cloud providers to facilitate switching through open standards, combating vendor lock-in. The statement expresses concern that lobbying efforts for delayed enforcement, weaker interoperability definitions and reliance on global standards without fairness guarantees threaten to undermine these objectives.

For the Data Act to be effective, the coalition insists on full implementation to open data markets to genuine competition and prevent SMEs from being excluded by legal complexity. The statement also calls for a proportionate approach, requesting practical guidance, standard contractual clauses and well-resourced enforcement authorities to support smaller companies. It notes that in certain sectors, supplementary legislation may be needed for full clarity.

The coalition concludes that strong enforcement is paramount, asserting that without it, the Act's rights will remain theoretical. They warn that any delay or softening of key provisions risks reinforcing the very market barriers the regulation was designed to eliminate. The signatories urge the Commission to ensure robust enforcement to secure a competitive and innovative Single Market for all companies.

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The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has been selected as the official tyre supplier for the groundbreaking FIA Extreme H World Cup, the world's first hydrogen-powered motorsport series. The company will supply its GEOLANDAR brand of tyres for the championship, which is scheduled to commence next month in Saudi Arabia. The company will also continue to supply GEOLANDAR tyres for the Extreme E off-road electric vehicle series, which holds its final event on 4–5 October in Saudi Arabia.

Central to both the Extreme H and Extreme E series is a shared mission to advance sustainability and equality. The championships serve as dynamic platforms to promote environmental awareness and demonstrate cutting-edge technologies while also enforcing a strict mandate for gender parity by requiring each team to field one male and one female driver. The Extreme H series will feature eight international teams operating the Pioneer 25, a cutting-edge hydrogen fuel cell vehicle capable of generating 550 horsepower and accelerating from 0 to 100 kmph in 4.5 seconds. The global significance of this new championship is expected to draw a worldwide television audience across multiple continents.

As the predecessor to Extreme H, the Extreme E series utilised the high-performance all-electric Odyssey 21 vehicle. All teams competing in the new hydrogen series will also participate in this final Extreme E event, marking the conclusion of the electric championship as it transitions towards a hydrogen future.

In alignment with the environmental principles of these series, Yokohama Rubber will provide a specially developed prototype tyre based on its GEOLANDAR X-AT model. This tyre has been engineered with a significantly increased ratio of sustainable materials, comprising 38 percent renewable and recycled content. It has also been fortified with enhanced durability characteristics to withstand the unique demands of heavy hydrogen-powered and electric off-road racing vehicles.

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Hankook Tire is advancing its future mobility leadership through strategic open innovation and collaborative design projects. This effort was showcased at the company’s recent Design Innovation Day 2025, held at its Pangyo Technoplex headquarters. The event serves as a platform to present new solutions integrating sustainability, innovation and design while reinforcing partnerships with global technology leaders.

A major focus was the unveiling of two key outcomes from Hankook’s ongoing Design Innovation Project. The first was ‘Sustainable Concept Tyre’, an embodiment of the company’s ESG vision. Developed using advanced 3D printing technology, it is constructed from renewable and recycled materials. Its distinctive organic design was realised in collaboration with Harvestance using specialised engineering software.

The second reveal was the WheelBot 2, a multi-directional mobility platform developed with robotics startup CALMANTECH. This advanced robotic wheel system, equipped with tri-axial spherical tyres, demonstrates new possibilities for movement. Its potential was illustrated through a live demonstration of the PathCruizer, a two-seater pod concept powered by the WheelBot technology.

Beyond product reveals, the event highlighted Hankook’s commitment to knowledge sharing, featuring a presentation on 3D printing advancements from LG Electronics. These collaborations are central to Hankook’s strategy of strengthening its technology leadership. Since 2012, the company has partnered with world-renowned design universities and technology firms, consistently earning prestigious international design awards and solidifying the premium stature of its global brand.

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Indian tyre maker to pass full benefit of tax cuts to customers from 22 September

CEAT Limited said on Thursday it would reduce prices across its entire tyre range following the Indian government’s decision to cut goods and services tax (GST) rates on tyres, with the full benefit being passed on to customers.

The Mumbai-based tyre manufacturer said new prices would take effect from 22 September, covering commercial, agricultural, passenger vehicle and two-wheeler segments.

India’s 56th GST Council meeting approved significant reductions in tax rates for the tyre industry. GST on new pneumatic tyres was cut to 18% from 28%, whilst tractor tyres and tubes will attract a reduced rate of 5%.

“We thank the Government of India and the GST Council for their timely and progressive decision to rationalise tax rates in the tyre sector,” said Arnab Banerjee, Managing Director & CEO of CEAT Limited.

“The reduced GST slabs will greatly benefit the tyre industry and consumers alike. Not only will it lower the cost of owning and operating a vehicle for customers across various segments, but by making tyres more affordable to replace, it will also make our roads safer.”

Banerjee added the move would “spur formalisation and greater compliance, while also fostering sustainable growth in the sector.”

The GST rate cuts represent a significant policy shift for India’s automotive sector, where high taxation has been a longstanding concern for manufacturers and consumers.

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