Chennai: Plugzmart, a start-up incubated at IIT Madras, has become the first in India to receive Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) certification for an indigenously developed 240kW DC fast charger for heavy electric vehicles.

The charger, which includes in-house developed controller and programmable logic controller (PLC) modules, can power heavy vehicles and high-end EVs in under 20 minutes. This milestone is seen as a major step in reducing India's import dependency in the electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem and promoting self-reliance under the 'Make in India' initiative.

While other companies have obtained ARAI certification using imported modules, Plugzmart stands out for developing its own hardware and software components, a feat lauded by industry observers.

ARAI is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Heavy Industries, serving as the apex automotive R&D institution in India.

The 240kW charger features smart power distribution and AI-driven optimization to enhance energy efficiency, minimize grid overload, and predict potential failures, ensuring high uptime and supporting multiple vehicles simultaneously.

“This innovation in fast-charging and smart load management is a crucial leap toward reducing EV infrastructure costs and reliance on imports,” said Plugzmart CEO and Co-founder Vivek Samynathan.

Founded in 2019 and housed at the IIT Madras Research Park, Plugzmart is expanding its reach to fleet operators, highway corridors, and commercial EV hubs, while eyeing international markets.

The start-up's milestone aligns with India's national EV policy goals, strengthening the domestic EV charging ecosystem and paving the way for scalable, high-speed charging solutions.