C-DAC, IIT-Madras Develop Advanced EV Power Tech

A 30kW Wide Band Gap (WBG)-based Integrated Drive System (IDS) developed for electric vehicles was launched today in Chennai. The advanced technology has been developed by C-DAC, Thiruvananthapuram, in collaboration with Indian Institute of Technology Madras and Lucas TVS under the National Mission on Power Electronics Technology (NAMPET). The system was inaugurated at IIT Madras by MeitY Secretary S. Krishnan.

The launch marks a significant step toward strengthening indigenous capabilities in advanced power electronics. The 30kW power class is particularly suited for India’s rapidly expanding electric passenger vehicle segment, including compact cars and fleet mobility platforms. Currently, a large share of high-performance EV powertrain systems and semiconductor-based drive components are imported. The indigenous development of this integrated system is expected to reduce import dependence, lower system costs through localization, and support scalable manufacturing aligned with national initiatives such as the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme.

Developed and validated in partnership with Lucas TVS, the technology is now ready for commercialization and large-scale deployment. Its adoption is expected to significantly strengthen India’s EV supply chain and create opportunities for MSMEs in power electronics manufacturing, thermal systems, and control hardware.

Addressing the gathering, S. Krishnan said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Make in India, Make for the World” is being realized through the indigenous development of cutting-edge power electronics technologies. He emphasized that collaboration between R&D institutions, academia, and industry is accelerating India’s transition from a technology importer to a technology developer and exporter.

The newly launched 30kW IDS integrates the electric motor and inverter into a single compact, high power-density unit, replacing conventional separate motor-drive configurations. This design-led innovation is expected to strengthen domestic intellectual property, accelerate the startup ecosystem, and boost high-value manufacturing in India’s EV sector.