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India pursues unified battery-swapping standards for Electric Vehicles
Industry News- Sep 13,23
NITI Aayog, the government's public policy think tank, has urged the Ministry of Heavy Industries to convene a meeting involving industry stakeholders.
The Government of India is set to embark on a new round of discussions aimed at finalising universally compatible standards for battery-swapping policies, according to insider reports from Business Standard. NITI Aayog, the government's public policy think tank, has urged the Ministry of Heavy Industries to convene a meeting involving industry stakeholders.
This development comes several months after the industry failed to reach a consensus on the battery-swapping policy draft, which was initially proposed on April 20, 2022.
Insiders suggest that a high-level meeting, gathering key stakeholders, is on the horizon. Expected participants include representatives from NITI Aayog, the Ministry of Power, the Department of Science and Technology, the Bureau of Indian Standards, and the International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials.
Government officials privy to the situation stated, "The aim is to bring all stakeholders together under a unified policy framework, and these consultations are designed with that objective in mind."
The discussions are expected to centre around technical specifications, safety standards, and the practical aspects of implementing interoperable battery-swapping technology (tech).
This initiative seeks to standardise battery-swapping tech, ensuring compatibility across various electric vehicle (EV) models and charging stations.
The move to standardise battery-swapping technology is seen as a crucial step in addressing a key challenge in the EV sector: the lack of uniformity in battery formats and charging infrastructure.
By establishing these interoperable standards, India aims to create a level playing field for EV manufacturers and charging infrastructure providers, ultimately benefiting consumers.
Battery swapping is a promising solution to alleviate concerns related to EV range anxiety, as it enables EV owners to quickly exchange depleted batteries for fully charged ones.
The battery-swapping scheme was first mentioned by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during her February 2022 Budget speech, leading to the prompt issuance of a draft policy by NITI Aayog in April of the same year.
The draft policy also outlined safety prerequisites, the introduction of a distinctive identification number for battery identification, battery monitoring and traceability systems, recycling and refurbishment procedures, as well as a potential subsidy mechanism.
Battery swapping falls under the broader category of battery-as-a-service business models, where users purchase EVs without the battery, significantly reducing upfront costs and paying a regular subscription fee (daily, weekly, monthly, etc.) to service providers for battery services throughout the vehicle's lifespan.
While battery swapping may make EV purchases more appealing due to lower initial costs, manufacturers have reservations about adopting this approach. Such a policy could potentially erode their unique competitive advantages and revenue streams, putting pressure on them to overhaul their existing infrastructure.
Currently, manufacturers utilise government subsidies tied to batteries to reduce the initial cost of their vehicles when batteries are included. However, under the draft policy, battery providers would be the ones receiving these subsidies, potentially causing original equipment manufacturers to lose this upfront advantage.
Industry stakeholders argue that creating standardised batteries may not be technically feasible, as each battery needs to be specifically designed to work with a vehicle, featuring unique dimensions, hardware, and software.
"Implementing any standard could inadvertently stifle innovation. Presently, all industry participants are actively researching to develop the most optimal batteries for their vehicles. Changing this approach could hinder the industry's growth," voiced an EV manufacturer.
Source: Business Standard
India
battery-swapping standards
electric vehicles
EVs
NITI Aayog
Ministry of Heavy Industries
Nirmala Sitharaman
International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials
Bureau of Indian Standards
Department of Science and Technology
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