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20 Dec 2025·Source: The Indian Express
2 min
EconomyScience & TechnologyEnvironment & EcologyNEWS

Maruti Chairman Urges Industry Code for EV Battery Safety

Maruti Chairman urges industry code for EV batteries to ensure safety and boost adoption.

Maruti Chairman Urges Industry Code for EV Battery Safety

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦

Maruti Suzuki Chairman R.C. Bhargava has made a compelling call for a standardized industry code for Electric Vehicle (EV) batteries. His primary concern is to ensure the safety and reliability of EV batteries, which is paramount for building consumer confidence and accelerating EV adoption in India.

Bhargava emphasized the need for common standards across battery design, manufacturing, and testing to mitigate fire incidents and other safety risks. This advocacy comes at a critical juncture as India pushes for greater EV penetration, highlighting the importance of robust regulatory frameworks to support technological transitions. For a UPSC aspirant, this is a key policy discussion in the EV ecosystem.

मुख्य तथ्य

1.

Maruti Suzuki Chairman R.C. Bhargava called for an industry-wide code for EV batteries

2.

Aim is to ensure safety and reliability of EV batteries

3.

Need for common standards in battery design, manufacturing, and testing

UPSC परीक्षा के दृष्टिकोण

1.

Policy and Governance: Role of regulatory bodies (BIS, ARAI, ICAT) in setting standards.

2.

Economy: Impact on EV adoption, investment in battery manufacturing, and consumer market dynamics.

3.

Science & Technology: Battery technologies, safety mechanisms, and R&D.

4.

Environment: Sustainable mobility, battery recycling, and circular economy principles.

दृश्य सामग्री

India's EV Adoption & Safety Landscape (Dec 2025)

This dashboard highlights key statistics related to Electric Vehicle adoption in India and the persistent challenge of battery safety, providing context to Maruti Chairman's call for an industry code.

Total EV Sales (2025 est.)
3.4 Million Units+50% YoY

Reflects rapid growth, primarily driven by 2-wheelers and 3-wheelers. Essential for meeting India's climate goals and reducing oil imports.

EV Penetration (2025 est.)
10-12% of total vehicle sales+4-5 p.p. YoY

While growing, still far from the ambitious 2030 targets. Highlights the need for accelerated adoption through policy and consumer confidence.

Target EV Share by 2030
30% Private Cars, 70% Commercial, 80% 2W/3WN/A

Ambitious targets set by the government under various policies. Achieving these requires overcoming current challenges like safety and infrastructure.

Consumer Concern: Battery Safety
40% (Major Concern)-10% from 2023

Despite new standards (AIS-156) and industry efforts, battery safety remains a significant deterrent for potential buyers, directly impacting consumer confidence.

Evolution of India's EV Policy & Safety Focus (2013-2025)

This timeline illustrates the key policy milestones and regulatory developments in India's Electric Vehicle sector, leading up to the current emphasis on battery safety standards.

India's journey towards electric mobility began with early policy frameworks, evolving through incentive schemes and manufacturing boosts. Recent years have seen a critical shift towards robust safety regulations, driven by market incidents and the need to build consumer trust, culminating in the current call for a comprehensive industry code.

  • 2013National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) 2020 launched to promote hybrid and electric vehicles.
  • 2015FAME India Scheme Phase I launched, offering incentives for EV purchases and charging infrastructure.
  • 2019FAME India Scheme Phase II launched, focusing on public and commercial transport electrification.
  • 2021Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) Battery Storage approved to boost domestic manufacturing.
  • 2022Battery Swapping Policy proposed in Union Budget to promote interoperability and standardization.
  • 2023Mandatory implementation of AIS-156 (amended) safety standards for EV batteries, following fire incidents.
  • 2024New EV policy for manufacturers announced, offering duty concessions for significant investments in India.
  • 2025Maruti Chairman urges standardized industry code for EV battery safety (Current News).
और जानकारी

पृष्ठभूमि

India's automotive sector is undergoing a significant transition towards electric mobility, driven by government incentives, environmental concerns, and technological advancements. However, the rapid adoption of Electric Vehicles (EVs) brings forth challenges, particularly concerning battery safety and reliability. Past incidents of EV battery fires have raised consumer concerns, highlighting the critical need for robust regulatory frameworks and industry standards.

नवीनतम घटनाक्रम

Maruti Suzuki Chairman R.C. Bhargava's call for a standardized industry code for EV batteries underscores the private sector's recognition of this challenge.

This advocacy comes at a time when the government is actively promoting EV manufacturing and adoption through schemes like FAME India and the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) battery manufacturing. Ensuring common standards across battery design, manufacturing, and testing is seen as crucial for building consumer confidence and sustaining the growth momentum of the EV sector.

बहुविकल्पीय प्रश्न (MCQ)

1. With reference to Electric Vehicle (EV) battery safety and related policies in India, consider the following statements: 1. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is the national body responsible for formulating standards for EV batteries in India. 2. The FAME India scheme primarily focuses on providing subsidies for the purchase of EVs and establishing charging infrastructure, but does not directly address battery safety standards. 3. Thermal runaway is a critical safety concern in Lithium-ion batteries, leading to uncontrolled temperature rise and potential fire hazards. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

उत्तर देखें

सही उत्तर: D

Statement 1 is correct: BIS is indeed the national standards body responsible for formulating various standards, including those for EV batteries, in collaboration with other bodies like ARAI and ICAT. Statement 2 is correct: The FAME India (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles) scheme is a demand-side incentive program aimed at promoting EV adoption and infrastructure. While it indirectly supports the EV ecosystem, its primary focus is not on setting technical battery safety standards, which fall under regulatory bodies. Statement 3 is correct: Thermal runaway is a well-known phenomenon in Lithium-ion batteries where an exothermic reaction leads to a rapid and uncontrollable increase in temperature, often resulting in fire or explosion. It is a major safety concern for EV batteries.

2. In the context of India's push for Electric Vehicles (EVs) and associated manufacturing, which of the following statements is NOT correct regarding the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) battery storage?

उत्तर देखें

सही उत्तर: D

Statement D is NOT correct. The PLI scheme for ACC battery storage is technology-agnostic, meaning it promotes various advanced battery chemistries beyond just Lithium-ion. It encourages the manufacturing of any advanced chemistry cell that can store electric energy, including but not limited to Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt (NMC), Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP), Solid State, and other emerging technologies, as long as they meet specified performance and safety criteria. The goal is to make India a manufacturing hub for ACCs, reducing import dependence and promoting domestic value addition across various advanced battery technologies. Statements A, B, and C are correct. The scheme aims to reduce import dependence, targets 50 GWh capacity, and links incentives to domestic value addition and sales.

3. Consider the following critical minerals: 1. Lithium 2. Cobalt 3. Nickel 4. Graphite Which of the minerals listed above are essential components in the manufacturing of most modern Electric Vehicle (EV) batteries, particularly Lithium-ion batteries?

उत्तर देखें

सही उत्तर: D

All four minerals listed are essential components in the manufacturing of most modern Lithium-ion EV batteries. 1. Lithium: The primary component, forming the electrolyte and often part of the cathode material. 2. Cobalt: A key component in many high-energy density cathodes (e.g., NMC, NCA). 3. Nickel: Used in cathodes to increase energy density and reduce cobalt content. 4. Graphite: The most common material used for the anode in Lithium-ion batteries. These minerals are crucial for the performance, energy density, and longevity of EV batteries, and their supply chain is a significant geopolitical and economic concern.

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