EV battery traceability system proposed with Aadhaar-like unique ID
India’s road transport ministry has proposed a new traceability system for electric vehicle batteries, introducing an Aadhaar-like unique identification number for every battery pack sold in the country, according to a report by Economic Times.
The draft proposal suggests assigning a Battery Pack Aadhaar Number (BPAN) to each EV battery to enable end-to-end tracking from manufacturing to recycling. The EV battery traceability system aims to improve accountability across the battery supply chain as India’s electric mobility market scales up.
Under the proposal, battery manufacturers and importers would be responsible for generating a unique 21-character BPAN before a battery enters the market. This identification number would be permanently affixed to the battery pack and linked to a central government portal. The database would store key information such as battery chemistry, capacity, origin, ownership changes, and recycling history.
The transport ministry believes the EV battery traceability system will help regulators monitor battery performance, ensure compliance with safety standards, and prevent improper disposal. Tracking batteries throughout their lifecycle is also expected to strengthen India’s battery recycling ecosystem, which is becoming increasingly important as large volumes of EV batteries approach end-of-life.
The draft framework also proposes that when a battery is repurposed, refurbished, or recycled, a new BPAN would be generated to reflect its updated status. This would allow authorities to distinguish between first-life, second-life, and recycled batteries in the market.
Initially, the system will focus on batteries used in electric vehicles, which account for the bulk of lithium-ion battery consumption in India. However, the proposal indicates that the EV battery traceability system could later be extended to cover industrial and energy storage batteries above a defined capacity threshold.
Industry feedback has been invited before the proposal is finalised, with stakeholders expected to raise concerns around implementation costs, data sharing, and operational timelines.
Editor’s View
The EV battery traceability system proposal marks a clear shift towards lifecycle accountability in India’s electric mobility push. While the Aadhaar comparison makes headlines, the real impact lies in how effectively batteries can be tracked, audited, and recycled.
For the tyre industry, this development is a signal rather than an isolated move. As regulators tighten norms around sustainability and extended producer responsibility, tyres could soon face similar traceability expectations. Lessons from battery tracking may well shape future tyre compliance frameworks.
Execution will be key. If implemented with flexibility and industry consultation, the EV battery traceability system can strengthen safety, curb informal practices, and support circular economy goals. If overburdened with compliance, it risks slowing innovation. Either way, the direction is unmistakable.
