India Proposes 'Battery Pack Aadhaar' System: A Digital Leap for EV Traceability and Sustainability

In a significant push towards sustainable electric mobility, the Indian government has released draft guidelines for the "Battery Pack Aadhaar System," an innovative digital identification framework aimed at tracking batteries from cradle to grave. Modeled after the country's Aadhaar biometric ID for citizens, this system assigns a unique 21-character Battery Pack Aadhaar Number (BPAN) to each battery pack, enabling end-to-end traceability, efficient recycling, and regulatory compliance. The initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), aligns with India's ambitious goals to become a global leader in clean transportation amid rising electric vehicle (EV) adoption.

The draft, outlined in a 49-page document from a committee formed in September 2025, focuses primarily on EV batteries for L, M, and N vehicle categories, as well as industrial batteries exceeding 2 kWh capacity. Portable and starting-lighting-ignition (SLI) batteries are excluded. As per the guidelines, the system divides data into static (unchanging) and dynamic (real-time) categories, stored across alphanumeric codes, QR codes, and secure servers. This ensures accessibility for stakeholders while maintaining data integrity and privacy.

Key Features of the Battery Pack Aadhaar System

The BPAN comprises three main sections:

• Alphanumeric Code: A 21-character string physically affixed to the battery, providing offline access to basic details like manufacturer identifier, battery chemistry, nominal voltage, and manufacturing date.

• QR Code: Encodes additional static data, such as material composition, disassembly methods, and carbon footprint breakdowns, aiding recyclers in efficient processing.

• Server-Based Data: Hosts dynamic information like state of health (SoH), battery status (e.g., original, repurposed, or waste), and event-based updates, accessible only to authorized users via private interfaces.

Data access is tiered: Public elements are available to all, while private data (e.g., detailed material content or SoH) is restricted to entities like recyclers, service providers, and regulators. The system captures over 50 parameters, including:

Category	Key Parameters	Access Level
Battery Manufacturer Identifier (BMI)	Country code, Manufacturer identifier	Public
Battery Descriptor Section (BDS)	Capacity, Chemistry, Voltage, Cell Origin, Extinguisher Class	Public
Battery Identifier (BI)	Manufacturing Date, Factory Code, Serial Number	Public
Battery Material Composition Section (BMCS)	Cell Type, Form Factor, Materials (Anode, Cathode, etc.), Recyclability	Mostly Private
Battery Carbon Footprint (BCF)	Total kgCO2e/kWh, Breakdown by Lifecycle Stages	Public (Total), Private (Breakdown)
Battery Dynamic Data (BDD)	Battery Category, Status, SoH, Actual Disassembly/Circularity Methods	Private

A pilot example in the draft illustrates a BPAN like "MY008A6FKKKLC1DH80001," decoding to a 30 kWh NMC battery manufactured in India with Korean cells, dated April 17, 2025. QR and server data further detail materials (e.g., graphite anode, lithium iron phosphate cathode) and a carbon footprint of 10 kgCO2e/kWh, with 50% from raw materials.

Stakeholders span the battery lifecycle, including producers, importers, distributors, recyclers, vehicle OEMs, end-users, and government authorities. Responsibilities are clearly defined: Battery producers generate the BPAN and upload initial data, while service providers handle dynamic updates. Vehicle manufacturers integrate it into national databases like VAHAN for seamless tracking.

The way forward emphasizes prioritizing EV batteries in standardization via the Automotive Industry Standards Committee (AISC). It proposes a phased rollout, starting with registration of manufacturers and integration with existing type approval processes (e.g., AIS-156 for safety).

This framework not only addresses environmental concerns like resource depletion and waste management but also supports second-life applications, such as repurposing batteries for energy storage, potentially reducing costs and emissions.

International Benchmarks: Echoes of the EU Battery Passport

India's Battery Pack Aadhaar draws parallels with global efforts to enhance battery traceability. The European Union's Battery Passport, mandated under Regulation (EU) 2023/1542, requires a digital record for batteries over 2 kWh starting February 2027. Similar to BPAN, it tracks composition, carbon footprint, and lifecycle data via QR codes and databases, promoting circularity and due diligence on critical materials. The Global Battery Alliance (GBA) extends this concept worldwide, with indicators for sustainability certification.

Other regions are following suit: The U.S. explores similar requirements under the Inflation Reduction Act for supply chain transparency, while China's battery recycling standards emphasize traceability for lithium-ion packs. India's approach stands out for its cost-effective, offline-accessible design, tailored to a market dominated by two- and three-wheelers, avoiding the heavy infrastructure burden of EU systems.

Broader Context: India's Evolving Battery Policies

The Battery Pack Aadhaar builds on a robust policy ecosystem in India's battery sector. The Battery Waste Management Rules (BWMR) 2022, enforced by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, mandate extended producer responsibility (EPR) for collection and recycling, targeting 90% recovery of critical materials by 2030. It classifies batteries and imposes recycling targets, directly feeding into Aadhaar's end-of-life tracking.

Complementing this, the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for Advanced Chemistry Cells (ACC) allocates ₹18,100 crore to boost domestic manufacturing, aiming for 50 GWh capacity with 30% local value addition. The system will verify cell origins, ensuring compliance with PLI mandates for indigenous production.

The e-Mobility R&D Roadmap, released by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser in 2023 and updated in 2024, identifies Battery Aadhaar as a key initiative for innovation in recycling, durability, and tropical-adapted batteries. Other efforts include the Tropical EV Battery R&D Roadmap for high-temperature resilience and reports on battery circularity by organizations like NITI Aayog and ICRIER.

Experts hail the draft as a "game-changer" for India's EV market, projected to reach 10 million annual sales by 2030. However, challenges like data privacy, implementation costs for small manufacturers, and interoperability with global standards remain. Public consultations are expected soon, with full rollout targeted for 2027.

As India accelerates its green transition, the Battery Pack Aadhaar could set a new standard for sustainable battery management, fostering accountability and innovation in one of the world's fastest-growing EV ecosystems.

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