New Delhi, Jan 3: The Ministry of Transport has proposed the introduction of an Aadhaar-like identification system for electric vehicle (EV) batteries, aimed at ensuring complete traceability, regulatory compliance, and efficient recycling throughout their lifecycle.
Under the proposed framework, every battery producer or importer will be required to assign a 21-character Battery Pack Aadhaar Number (BPAN) to each battery they introduce into the market or put to self-use. They must also upload relevant dynamic data about these batteries on the official BPAN portal, according to the draft guidelines issued by the ministry.
“The battery producer or importer shall have the obligation of assigning a unique Battery Pack Aadhaar Number (BPAN) to each battery that they introduce in the market or put to self-use,” the draft reads. It further mandates that the BPAN be clearly visible and placed in a secure location to prevent damage or tampering.
The BPAN will store critical information covering the entire lifecycle of a battery—from raw material extraction and manufacturing to its operation, recycling, and final disposal. If a battery undergoes recycling or repurposing, a new BPAN will be generated by the same or a new producer, ensuring continuous traceability.
According to the ‘Guidelines for Implementation of the Battery Pack Aadhaar System,’ this initiative seeks to enhance transparency, accountability, and sustainability within India’s rapidly expanding battery ecosystem. The system is also expected to facilitate “second-life” usage, improve performance monitoring, and streamline recycling and regulatory compliance.
Electric vehicles account for nearly 80–90 percent of India’s total lithium-ion battery demand, far surpassing industrial or non-automotive uses. Given this scale, the ministry has proposed that EV batteries be prioritized during the initial phase of BPAN implementation, particularly for units above 2 kWh capacity, to address the most impactful segment of the ecosystem.
To ensure smooth rollout, the ministry recommended introducing the BPAN system through the Automotive Industry Standard (AIS) route under the Automotive Industry Standards Committee (AISC). This process will allow detailed stakeholder consultations, technical validation, and alignment with existing automotive regulations to ensure national uniformity and easy adoption.
The AISC committee is expected to include representatives from key sectors such as battery manufacturing, EV production, recycling, testing, and regulatory agencies, ensuring that all practical and technical elements are adequately addressed across the battery lifecycle.
As the global energy landscape shifts toward digitalization and electrification, the ministry emphasized that robust traceability mechanisms like BPAN are crucial for sustainable growth. Beyond electric mobility, batteries play a critical role in energy storage for homes, industries, and power generation, making efficient management and recycling essential for India’s long-term energy security.
