The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has proposed a new system to assign a unique identification number to electric vehicle batteries in India. The idea is to improve traceability, safety, and recycling as EV use continues to rise across the country.
The proposal is part of draft guidelines released by the ministry and applies to batteries used in electric vehicles, including those meant for self-consumption. The system is being referred to as a Battery Pack Aadhaar Number, or BPAN.
What Is BPAN
Under the proposed framework, every battery producer or importer will be required to assign a 21-character Battery Pack Aadhaar Number to each battery introduced in the market. It covers every battery, whether it’s sold to customers or used by manufacturers within their own operations.
Each battery must carry a BPAN, and it needs to be placed somewhere that’s easy to see and easy to access. The idea is simple: anyone who needs that information should be able to find it without hassle. The ministry has stated that the identifier must be positioned in a way that it cannot be easily damaged or lost during regular use.
Data Tracking Plan
Battery makers and importers will also be required to upload battery-related data on an official BPAN portal. This data will cover the battery’s full lifecycle, starting from raw material sourcing and manufacturing to usage, recycling, repurposing, or final disposal.
If a battery undergoes recycling or is repurposed for second-life use, any major change in its attributes will require the issuance of a new BPAN, either by the same company or a different authorised entity.
Why It Matters
The ministry says the idea is simple: the Indian battery lifecycle should be infused with more transparency and accountability. With excellent monitoring, it is feasible to find out the batteries’ overtime performance, the extent of their ecological degradation, and also the compliance with the safety and recycling regulations. It is more or less the entire chain of a battery from its birth to its eventual destruction that is getting traced.
EV Batteries Priority
Electric vehicles currently account for around 80–90 per cent of India’s lithium-ion battery demand, far higher than industrial or non-automotive uses. Because of this scale and the safety risks involved, EV batteries have been identified as a priority segment for the new system. While the draft guidelines suggest applying BPAN to industrial batteries above 2 kWh as well, EV batteries are expected to be the main focus in the initial phase.
Standards Process
The ministry has recommended that the BPAN framework be developed through the Automotive Industry Standards Committee route. This approach would allow proper consultations with stakeholders, comprehensive technical evaluations, and clarification of current automotive regulations before the full rollout of the technique. The officials believe that the gradual introduction will give the system a better chance of functioning under real conditions and being properly policed throughout the EV supply chain.
What Comes Next
Right now, it is just a proposal, and the government is expecting feedback from car manufacturers, battery manufacturers, and others involved in the electric vehicle ecosystem before the regulations are finalised. If implemented, BPAN would be guided by India’s EV policy, particularly given the growing volume of batteries and the urgent need for end-of-life management. Currently, it strongly signals to the government that it is willing to establish order, traceability, and long-term accountability in the country’s rapidly growing electric mobility sector.
