New Delhi, Jan 3: The Transport Ministry has proposed assigning an Aadhaar-like unique identification number to electric vehicle (EV) batteries to enable end-to-end traceability and ensure efficient recycling, according to draft guidelines issued on Saturday.
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 introduced in the market or used for self-consumption. The producers will also have to upload relevant Battery Pack dynamic data on the official BPAN portal.
“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 and the battery they put to self-use,” the guidelines said, adding that the BPAN must be placed in a clearly visible and accessible position that cannot be easily destroyed or deteriorate.
According to the draft ‘Guidelines for Implementation of Battery Pack Aadhaar System’, the BPAN will capture and store critical information across the battery lifecycle — from raw material extraction and manufacturing to usage, recycling and final disposal. Any change in battery attributes due to recycling or repurposing will result in the issuance of a new BPAN by the same or a different producer or importer.
The ministry said the system aims to bring greater transparency, accountability and sustainability to the battery ecosystem by enabling accurate tracking of battery performance and environmental impact. BPAN is also expected to support regulatory compliance, second-life usage and streamlined recycling processes.
Electric vehicle applications currently account for 80–90 per cent of India’s total lithium-ion battery demand, far exceeding industrial and other non-automotive uses. While the guidelines recommend BPAN applicability for industrial batteries above 2 kWh, EV batteries are proposed to be prioritised during standard formulation due to their scale, safety concerns and regulatory significance.
“This approach will ensure that the Battery Pack Aadhaar framework addresses the most impactful segment of the Indian battery ecosystem in its initial phase,” the draft guidelines noted.
The ministry has further recommended that the Battery Pack Aadhaar framework be implemented through the Automotive Industry Standard (AIS) route under the Automotive Industry Standards Committee (AISC). This would allow structured stakeholder consultations, technical validation and harmonisation with existing automotive regulations, ensuring national uniformity and regulatory acceptance.
The AISC panel may include representatives from battery manufacturers, EV makers, recyclers, testing agencies and regulatory bodies to address practical implementation issues across the entire battery lifecycle.
The draft guidelines highlighted that as the world moves towards digitalisation and electrification, energy storage cells have become central to reliable and efficient power delivery. Beyond electric mobility, batteries play a crucial role in domestic energy storage, industrial operations, and electricity generation and distribution. (Agencies)
