The Ministry of Power has issued the “Guidelines for Installation and Operation of Battery Swapping and Battery Charging Stations – 2024,” aiming to support the growth of electric vehicles (EVs) with integrated batteries and promote battery swapping as an alternative energy solution. Battery swapping allows the quick replacement of a discharged EV battery with a fully charged one at dedicated stations. The guidelines apply to providers, owners, and operators of battery swapping and charging stations across the country.
The primary objectives include encouraging battery swapping as an alternative to direct EV charging, promoting the “Battery as a Service” (BaaS) model, and developing a robust ecosystem for battery swapping. Under the BaaS model, third-party providers or battery equipment manufacturers manage and lease swappable EV batteries to users or fleet operators.
Battery swapping refers to replacing a discharged swappable battery with a fully charged one, while the battery swapping ecosystem encompasses the infrastructure and services supporting this quick exchange process. A Battery Charging Station (BCS) recharges discharged batteries, while a Battery Swapping Station (BSS) both charges and replaces batteries for EVs. Some of these facilities may be captive, serving specific user groups such as fleet operators or organizations, and not open to the public.
The guidelines also introduce the concept of Battery-to-Grid (B2G), which allows swappable batteries to not only store energy but also supply electricity back to the grid when needed. A swappable battery is defined as a modular unit that can be easily removed and replaced to extend the range of EVs. Battery providers, as entities offering swappable batteries or BaaS, play a critical role in supporting EV users.
Key provisions from the broader “Guidelines for Installation and Operation of Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure – 2024” are also applicable to battery charging and swapping stations. These include specific clauses related to safety, operation, and infrastructure management. Station owners are allowed to use existing electricity connections for charging, with or without additional load requirements. Additionally, liquid-cooled swappable batteries may be deployed for larger vehicles like buses and trucks to improve efficiency and safety.
The guidelines aim to create a seamless battery-swapping network while ensuring safety, accessibility, and efficient energy management for the evolving EV ecosystem.
