Govt. Issues Draft Battery Pack Aadhaar Guidelines for EV Traceability and Sustainability

In a major step toward sustainable battery management, the Government has announced the Battery Pack Aadhaar (BPA) system. Designed to provide a unique digital identity for every battery, the initiative aims to ensure end-to-end traceability from manufacturing to recycling, strengthening transparency, sustainability, and India’s push toward a circular economy.

The BPA system covers Electric Vehicle (EV) batteries used in L, M, and N category vehicles, as well as industrial batteries over 2 kWh, in line with the Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022. However, portable and SLI (Starting, Lighting, Ignition) batteries are excluded from this framework.

Each battery will carry a three-tier digital identity. The first layer is an alphanumeric code (21 characters), physically marked on the battery, which provides public access to core information like the manufacturer, specifications, and unique ID. The second layer is a QR code containing detailed static data, including technical specifications, material composition, and carbon footprint, primarily for authorized recyclers and service providers.

The third layer consists of server-based dynamic data, such as the battery’s State of Health (SOH), operational status, and lifecycle events, accessible only to authorized stakeholders including OEMs, service centers, recyclers, and regulators.

The BPA ecosystem organises data into six categories. These include the Battery Manufacturer Identifier (BMI), Battery Descriptor Section (BDS) for technical specs, Battery Identifier (BI) for serial number and manufacturing details, Battery Material Composition Section (BMCS), Battery Carbon Footprint (BCF), and Battery Dynamic Data (BDD) for live tracking of battery health and lifecycle events.

Implementation will be phased to ensure a smooth rollout. Phase 1 will cover basic identification through BMI, BDS, and BI. Phase 2 will add material traceability and dynamic lifecycle tracking via BMCS and BDD. Phase 3 will introduce carbon footprint declaration (BCF). The system is designed as a digital backbone, enabling integration with regulations such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), waste management, carbon reporting, and Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes.

Stakeholders across the battery ecosystem have defined responsibilities. Battery producers and importers will generate the BPAN, mark the battery, and upload relevant data. Vehicle OEMs will integrate BPANs into vehicle documentation, while service providers and recyclers will update battery status and recycling outcomes. The government agency will oversee the central portal, allocate manufacturer codes, and audit compliance.

The guidelines will move through the Automotive Industry Standard (AIS) process under the AISC to ensure consultation across industry and regulatory alignment. EV batteries are prioritized due to their market dominance and safety considerations.

With the Battery Pack Aadhaar system, India establishes a future-ready, digitally integrated framework for battery lifecycle management. The initiative is expected to promote sustainability, accountability, circular economy practices, and position India as a global leader in responsible battery management.