India’s push toward electric aviation gained momentum with The ePlane Company opening a new integrated prototyping and testing facility at the IIT Madras Discovery Campus in Thaiyur.
Spread across 60,000 sq. ft., the facility is positioned as the country’s largest centre dedicated to the development and future serial production of electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft. The site reflects a clear shift from early laboratory research to readiness for industrial-scale manufacturing.
The facility will support end-to-end development of the company’s e200X air taxi. This includes design integration, subsystem testing, composite fabrication, avionics validation, and electric powertrain assembly. A dedicated Ground Test Vehicle unit has also been set up to validate critical systems as the programme moves closer to certification.
The inauguration was led by Professor V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras. His leadership has helped shape the Discovery Campus into a base for deep-tech innovation. The new site is expected to be central to tethered hover testing and other key milestones required for regulatory approvals, in collaboration with India’s aviation authorities.
At the core of the company’s roadmap is the e200X, which has been designed for dense urban conditions. Alongside passenger transport, the company plans to begin commercial operations with air ambulance services. This strategy aims to significantly cut emergency medical transport times in Indian cities.
The development also highlights the broader role of IIT Madras in supporting advanced aerospace innovation. Through its incubation ecosystem, the institute has provided infrastructure, specialised talent, and academic validation. These efforts have helped the company progress from concept-level work to certification-ready development.
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