Government think-tank NITI Aayog released a draft battery swapping policy with the aim of prioritizing the development of battery swapping network under the first phase. The draft policy suggests that all vehicles with swappable batteries be sold to reduce the acquisition cost for EV owners. In addition, the draft policy encourages individuals or entities to set up battery swapping stations. It also suggested reducing the GST slab on lithium-ion batteries, which currently stands at 18 per cent and 5 per cent on electric vehicle supply equipment. The draft policy also proposes to give the same incentive to electric vehicles with swappable batteries as is currently given to electric vehicles with fixed batteries. The policy aims to make electric vehicles with swappable batteries more accessible to the end user and has been welcomed by the Indian Electric Mobility Sector. Here’s how industry players reacted to the draft policy.
Disposal management of used batteries is another welcome step towards a clean and sustainable environment. The immediate announcement of this financial benefits will help the industry to work together in the EV-based ecosystem in the country.”
Vivekananda Halekre, CEO and Co-Founder of Bounce, said, “We are in alliance with the government on the need to set standards to promote interoperability of fully aligned infrastructure. However, we humbly urge the government on these. Will request to formulate standards and policies.After testing them on the ground and evaluation is not limited to laboratory tests, the technology around batteries and battery infra is evolving rapidly and policies and standards are being innovated. Shouldn’t become a hindrance. We urge the government to consider the above points before the policy and norms for battery swap are formalised.”
Hero Electric CEO Sohinder Gill said, “The battery-swapping policy along with interoperability standards for EV ecosystem launched by NITI Aayog supports the financial incentive given by the Finance Minister in his budget speech. It is an integrated EV ecosystem. Will promote mechanisms in which stakeholders such as multiple battery providers, battery OEMs and financial partners are able to efficiently collaborate and partner. Guidelines on battery data sharing will provide more room for safety and performance improvements of advanced cell chemistry. Battery Life and the security aspects can be handled better. The concept of interoperability using standardized batteries needs to be debated in more detail as there may be technical challenges as well as a revenue sharing model by companies to ensure ROI on investment But you have to work carefully.”
