Battery swapping operators are set to benefit from the Ministry of Power's newly issued guidelines on electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure.

These guidelines, outlined in an order by Saket Kumar Sinha, Under Secretary to the Government of India, aim to streamline the installation and operation of battery-swapping and charging stations. The directives have been communicated to all secretaries of various ministries and state chief secretaries.

State Nodal Agencies and responsibilities

The order mandates that each state appoint a State Nodal Agency (SNA) to coordinate efforts with Distribution Companies (DISCOMs) and State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERC). The objective is to simplify electricity connections for public, community, workplace, and e-bus depot charging stations, catering to both fixed and battery-swapping facilities.

State governments may choose their own Nodal Agency, with 'Discom's' serving as the default option.

Industry response to the guidelines

The updated guidelines are expected to provide much-needed clarity for battery-swapping companies such as Sun Mobility, Battery Smart, Gogoro, VoltUp, Esmito, ChargeUp, and RACE Energy.

Pramod Sharma, Chief Operating Officer for heavy vehicle swapping at Sun Mobility, highlighted the comprehensive nature of the guidelines.

These include revisions to the Principal Guidelines on Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure (EVCI), initially issued in September 2024, and safety standards established by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for swap stations catering to the "M" and "N" vehicle categories.

Sharma emphasised that the policies would significantly contribute to the growth of the battery-swapping ecosystem in India.

Sharma further stated that the combination of these policies and safety standards would help expand battery swapping as a viable alternative to traditional charging. This, in turn, would offer consumers a wider range of EV options to suit their specific requirements.

Pulkit Khurana, co-founder of Battery Smart, commended the Ministry of Power's recognition of battery swapping as a credible alternative to conventional charging.

He noted that the guidelines establish a robust foundation for the EV ecosystem, addressing challenges related to traditional charging methods and aligning with India's sustainable mobility goals.

State-level committees and infrastructure development

The guidelines call for the establishment of a state-level steering committee, chaired by the Secretary in charge of Energy. The committee will include representatives from Transport, Municipal Administration, and Urban Development, among others, to oversee the planning and execution of EV charging infrastructure.

States are also directed to appoint State Public Sector Undertakings (SPSUs), Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), or Urban Development Authorities to assist in setting up battery-swapping stations.

Challenges and current status

India's battery-swapping sector has experienced slow growth due to challenges such as battery standardisation and inadequate infrastructure. As of now, there are approximately 2,500 battery-swapping stations nationwide compared to 25,202 charging stations for vehicles with fixed batteries.

Sun Mobility and Battery Smart are leading the battery-swapping market, each operating nearly 1,000 stations. Sun Mobility, in collaboration with Indian Oil, aims to establish over 10,000 stations in more than 40 cities within three years.

Proponents of battery swapping argue that India will require approximately 450,000 swapping stations to support widespread adoption. Vehicles without batteries are 40-45% more affordable, making EVs more accessible while addressing concerns related to range and charging times.