The Bureau of India Standards (BIS) has issued standards and tests for EV charging infrastructure, as well as criteria for battery swapping systems. It also specifies the standards for a battery swap system’s safety.
According to the BIS, “the series consists of ten parts that define the charging modes, communication protocols, electrical safety, and performance test requirements for EV charging systems.”
The standards seek to ensure global standardization and compatibility for EV charging infrastructure. “They ensure that EV charging systems are safe, reliable, and interoperable with various vehicles and charging network providers,” said BIS. The government is also working on a battery swapping program, the first draft of which was announced last year.
However, the industry has expressed reservations about the planned compatibility on battery capacities, form factors, connections, and communication protocols, claiming that it would stifle innovation and establish an artificial monopoly in the market.
BIS responded to this by saying that these standards are a part of overall Green Standards formulated in accordance with global rules.
As a part of Green Standards BIS has also formulated rules for raw materials for constructions (like fly ash, construction and demotion waste, cement, fly ash bricks), waste disposal (like recycling of plastics waste), agriculture (organic farming process), renewable energy (wind turbines, energy efficient motors and solar PV modules).
EV sales are no longer restricted to major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru they are also gaining popularity in non-metro markets so standardization is a must.
Overall, electric car sales are predicted to more than quadruple to 100,000 for the first time in 2023, prompting manufacturers ranging from Maruti Suzuki to Hyundai Motor India and Tata Motors to plan the release of more than a dozen models over the next two to three years.
Reference- Economic Times, Inside EVs, HT Auto, Mercom India