News Brief
Battery-Swapping Guidelines For Electric Vehicles Set To Be Rolled Out Soon, Paving Way For Wider EV Adoption
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The government is moving towards finalising battery-swapping policies for electric buses and cars, along with two and three-wheelers currently in use across various cities.
The Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) will take the proposal to the Prime Minister Office (PMO) in the next two weeks for approval.
The MHI has been collaborating with the Ministry of Power (MoP), the Ministry of Road Transport (MORTH), and the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) to establish these battery-swapping guidelines, The Hindu Businessline reported citing sources.
“Consultations are going on battery swapping of electric vehicles and we have a meeting at PMO in the next 10-15 days. We are still at planning stage on what all should be there in the swapping of battery guidelines for two/three-wheelers and buses. For passenger vehicles, the manufacturers will need to be consulted,” a senior government official was quoted as saying in the Businessline report.
The official noted that the MoP has already prepared guidelines for battery-swapping stations and shared them with the MHI, which is expected to provide feedback on these guidelines.
MoP's 'Guidelines for Installation and Operation of Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure-2024' are designed to meet the requirements of electric vehicle (EV) with integrated batteries.
The alternative method of powering EVs is through swappable batteries which can be charged at dedicated battery charging stations.
“We expect guidelines will be made on battery swapping stations soon...that will be a big step because once the guidelines are ready that means swapping stations/ infrastructures can come up cities where they are required,” the official said.
Unlike fixed batteries, which require external power for recharging, swapping stations could serve as refuelling points for EVs, much like petrol stations for ICE vehicles.
Expanding such infrastructure is vital for wider EV adoption.
Therefore, efforts are underway to boost the availability of charging infrastructure which is still not adequate.
However, battery swapping provides a notable time-saving advantage for EV users.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has allowed manufacturers to sell two and three-wheelers without batteries, facilitating battery-swapping services, which are already available in certain cities.
“The next step should be to allow passenger cars and buses so that swapping services are available for these vehicles as well. It is a work in progress. MoP has made certain guidelines from their side, MORTH has allowed sales of electric two and three-wheelers without batteries. BIS is making standards for such vehicles and swapping stations on safety and performance, which will be another big step,” the official added.
Battery-swapping services are currently in place for electric two and three-wheelers, as well as certain buses in select areas.
