In order to accelerate the widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in India, Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Shri Piyush Goyal underlined the significance of incorporating battery swapping facilities alongside charging infrastructure. At a Consultation Meeting on the “Development of Battery Charging and Swapping Infrastructure,” Goyal emphasized that the development of charging infrastructure should be the catalyst for a “people’s movement” toward EV adoption.
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) jointly hosted the event. Leading industry figures from the automotive, battery, battery charging, and battery switching sectors participated.
The potential expansion of the battery swapping industry, which is expected to reach USD 20 billion by 2030, was brought up by industry participants at the discussion. They emphasized the necessity of leveling the playing field for producers of fixed-battery and battery-swapping EVs, especially with regard to subsidies and incentives. There was also discussion of technological innovations, like the employment of robotics to change batteries in just 135 seconds.
Stakeholders stressed the significance of accountability and the creation of precise standards by pertinent bodies such as the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), even as safety concerns were acknowledged.
Goyal further explained his goal of installing infrastructure for charging and battery switching at all gas pumps, CNG stations, and other establishments. According to him, this will guarantee that these facilities are broadly accessible and handle problems like vandalism that are now plaguing the industry, avoiding an excessive concentration in particular locations.
In order to guarantee the successful installation of battery swap stations throughout the nation, he also underlined the necessity of cooperation between ministries, including Heavy Industry, Power, Petroleum & Natural Gas, and Housing & Urban Affairs, in addition to industry representatives.