Context

As fires and explosions in electric two-wheelers continue unabated, the government is all set to introduce EV battery standards (BIS standards) for EV two-wheelers that will be expanded to four-wheelers at a later stage. 

Background

• Global climate action plan, focusing on phasing down the carbon usage and footprint by reducing the dependency on fossil fuels.
• India's commitment towards climate action to become carbon neutral along with reducing vehicular pollution induced the demand for introduction of electronic vehicles.
• Li-ion batteries, the central player in the e-vehicle policy implementation, involves certain concerns which needs to be rectified with proper standardisation measures.

Analysis

What is BIS? 

Bureau of Indian Standards 

• BISis the National Standard Body of India for the harmonious development of the activities of standardization, marking and quality certification of goods. 
• Ensuring Traceableand tangible benefits to the national economy in a number of ways by: 
• Ensuring safereliable quality  
• Reducinghealth hazards to consumers. 
• Promotingexports and imports  
• Control overproliferation of varieties through standardization, certification and testing. 

Where BIS is applicable? 

BIS standards are applicable to variety of products: 

• Electronic and IT goods
• Solar Photovoltaics, Systems, Devices and Components
• Low Voltage Switch Gear and Control Gear
• Chemicals
• Alternatefuels
• E-mobility
• Medical Devices
• Smart Cities
• Digital Technologies (e.g. Industry 4.0, Artificial Intelligence, Block Chain etc.)
• New and Renewable energy.

What are the major concerns of EV vehicle? 

• Risk of inflammation
• Standardisation of design and module
• Interoperability
• Recycling process
• Waste management system
• Environmental concern:
• Water contamination
• Ground water contamination
• Soil degradation
• Inadequate policy measures
• Technological and infrastructural constraints
• Disequilibrium in skilled labour market

How BIS standardisation will improve the situation? 

• Technological standardisation, minimising the risk of inflammation
• Increases the scope of interoperability
• Better implementation of batter swap policy
• Quality standardisation

What needs to be done? 

• Impetus on waste management system and recycling process, reducing the environmental cost
• Bridging the infrastructural and technological gap
• Skill development and knowledge enhancement through research and development initiatives