India Wants To Build Interchangeable, Cheap And Easy Electric Vehicle Batteries

JAKARTA - India is planning a new regulation to make the batteries used in scooters, motorcycles and tricycles interchangeable with different models. This is part of a proposed new policy released by the think-tank, Niti Aayog.

Niti Aayog said the draft policy, which proposes standards for battery pack dimensions and charging connectors to support interoperability, would separate the cost of the battery from the initial cost of buying an electric vehicle, driving EV adoption.

The swappable battery is currently not being used in India's fast-growing electric scooter segment on any commercial scale.

The draft policy does not include details of any investment plans. It will be open to public comment until June 5, after which a final policy will be generated. Once completed, it will be valid until March 31, 2025.

The think-tank has also proposed an incentive offer to buyers for purchasing EVs with swappable batteries. While not providing further details, Reuters has previously reported that these incentives could be as high as 20% of the total cost of battery rentals.

India said in February it would introduce a new policy for swapping batteries to boost EV sales, which is key to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's carbon reduction and climate change agenda.

The move is a boost for companies such as India's Reliance Industries and Britain's BP Plc, which last year formed battery swap joint ventures in the country.