In a significant step towards enhancing transparency and sustainability in the energy storage sector, the Indian government has unveiled draft guidelines for a unique identification system for batteries, dubbed the 'Battery Pack Aadhaar Number'. This initiative is designed to meticulously track the origin, manufacturing, and lifecycle performance of batteries, empowering consumers with crucial information.
What is the Battery Aadhaar Number?
The core of the proposal is a mandatory, machine-readable, 21-character alphanumeric code accompanied by a QR code on every battery pack. This digital identifier will function much like a 'battery passport', storing comprehensive details about the battery's journey. The framework is engineered to monitor batteries across their entire lifecycle — from the initial manufacturing stage and operational use to eventual recycling and responsible disposal.
Scope and Implementation Details
Initially, the guidelines will focus exclusively on electric vehicle (EV) applications. However, the plan is to later extend this system to include industrial batteries that have a capacity greater than 2 kilowatt-hours (kWh). The draft norms explicitly state that batteries used for Starting, Lighting, and Ignition (SLI) purposes, along with portable batteries, are currently outside the scope of this regulatory document.
The data linked to the Battery Aadhaar will be bifurcated into two types:
- Static Data: This includes fixed information such as the battery's material composition, technical descriptor, and carbon footprint parameters. This data will be publicly accessible and will remain unchanged unless there is a physical replacement of components or a modification of the battery's operational parameters by its management system.
- Dynamic Data: This information, which provides real-time insights into the battery's performance and health, will be stored, maintained, and updated via a connected server.
Industry Reaction and Global Alignment
The move has been welcomed by industry leaders as a forward-thinking measure. Preeti Bajaj, CEO and MD of Luminous Power Technologies, hailed it as a "pivotal shift for India's battery ecosystem". She emphasized that it creates much-needed lifecycle transparency, tracing a battery's path from the factory floor to end-of-life recycling. Bajaj also noted that "the framework mirrors global thinking," aligning India with international efforts to establish accountability and sustainability in the battery value chain.
This proposed digital framework represents a foundational step towards building a circular economy for batteries in India. By ensuring traceability, it aims to boost consumer confidence, facilitate efficient recycling, and promote responsible manufacturing practices in the rapidly growing EV and energy storage sectors.
