The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has released draft guidelines for implementing the battery pack Aadhaar system, a nationwide digital identification framework designed to ensure end-to-end traceability of battery packs throughout their lifecycle.

Battery pack Aadhaar introduces a unique digital identity for every battery pack placed on the market, enabling standardized tracking from manufacturing and usage to repurposing, recycling, or final disposal.

Implemetation

The draft guidelines propose a phased rollout of battery pack Aadhaar.

The first phase focuses on battery identification and key descriptors via the battery manufacturer identifier, the battery descriptor section, and the battery identifier.

The second phase expands coverage to include material composition and dynamic lifecycle data, including state-of-health and end-of-life reporting.

The third phase introduces advanced requirements, including detailed carbon footprint disclosures.

The framework is expected to be taken forward through the Automotive Industry Standards route, enabling structured stakeholder consultation, technical validation, and alignment with existing automotive regulations.

Structure of the Battery Pack Aadhaar System

The Aadhaar system is built on a three-layer architecture comprising an alphanumeric code, a QR code, and server-based digital records. Each battery pack is assigned a 21-character Aadhaar number, which is physically marked on the battery in a visible, durable location. This alphanumeric code provides basic identification details and can be decoded offline, ensuring accessibility even in low-connectivity environments.

The QR code embedded on the battery stores a richer set of static information, including battery capacity, chemistry, material composition, cooling system, recyclability, and basic carbon footprint data. This layer is particularly useful for recyclers, service providers, and inspection agencies that require detailed technical information without relying on continuous internet access.

The third layer consists of server-based dynamic data maintained on a centralized digital platform. This layer captures parameters that change over time, such as battery status, state of health, lifecycle events, repurposing actions, recycling outcomes, and time stamps.

Access to this data is restricted to authorized stakeholders, ensuring data security while enabling real-time regulatory monitoring.

Data Categories and Information Captured

The battery pack aadhaar data is classified into static and dynamic categories.

Static data includes manufacturer identity, manufacturing date, capacity, chemistry, voltage, cell origin, material composition, warranty details, original power capability, and declared carbon footprint across lifecycle stages. These parameters remain unchanged unless the battery undergoes physical modification or remanufacturing.

Dynamic data reflects the battery’s operational life and condition. This includes battery category, operational status, state of health, actual dismantling or repurposing method, circularity pathway, and lifecycle time stamps. Dynamic data enables regulators, service centers, and recyclers to assess battery condition accurately and supports informed decisions on second-life use or recycling eligibility.

Scope and Applicability

The draft guidelines primarily apply to electric vehicle batteries, which account for 80-90% of lithium-ion battery demand in India. Battery pack aadhaar will be mandatory for electric vehicle batteries used in L category vehicles such as two- and three-wheelers, as well as M and N category vehicles, including passenger cars, buses, and trucks.

The framework may also be applied to industrial batteries with capacities exceeding 2 kWh.

Portable batteries and automotive starting, lighting, and ignition batteries fall outside the scope of the current guidelines. While the document focuses on electric vehicle applications, it allows flexibility for future expansion to other battery categories as regulatory needs evolve.

Roles and Responsibilities

Under the proposed framework, battery producers and importers bear the primary responsibility for assigning the battery pack aadhaar number, uploading static data, generating QR codes, and marking the battery pack. They are also responsible for initial registration and compliance with identification standards.

Service providers, vehicle manufacturers, and authorized testing agencies contribute by updating usage-related and diagnostic information during the operational phase.

Recyclers and waste management operators are responsible for recording dismantling methods, material recovery outcomes, and end-of-life processing details. Government authorities retain oversight access to ensure regulatory compliance, auditing, and enforcement.

India’s battery ecosystem is undergoing a rapid transformation driven by electric mobility targets, grid-scale storage deployment, and domestic manufacturing initiatives such as the Advanced Chemistry Cell Production Linked Incentive Program. However, the absence of a unified battery identification and tracking system has made it difficult for regulators to monitor battery health, enforce extended producer responsibility obligations, ensure safe handling, and verify recycling outcomes.

Battery pack aadhaar seeks to resolve these challenges by creating a single reference identity that can be used across multiple regulatory frameworks, including Battery Waste Management Rules, safety standards, carbon footprint disclosures, and future recycled content verification requirements.

The framework also incorporates design features that allow future compatibility with global battery passport systems, including the European Union Battery Regulation. Server-side extensibility and standardized data structures enable cross-border interoperability without altering physical markings on the battery.

Subscribe to Mercom’s real-time Regulatory Updates to ensure you don’t miss any critical updates from the renewable industry.