• The government has tasked the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) in Pune with acquiring the infrastructure required to test battery-powered automobiles.
• The planned testing infrastructure would likely include:
  • Battery cells
  • Battery management systems
  • Onboard chargers
  • Battery pack designs
  • Thermal propagation screens for internal cell short circuits that might cause fires in EVs

Significance

• In recent months, there have been several reports of fires in electric two-wheelers and four-wheelers.
• There are currently no centralised testing facilities for EVs in India.

  

• Manufacturers set their own standards.
• As a result, in June, the Bureau of Indian Standards developed performance standards for lithium-ion battery packs and traction systems that were consistent with larger ISO standards.
• This was the first significant step towards the standardisation of battery technology.
• Product dependability, performance, and safety would improve if standardised standards were followed.
• It would also raise the entry threshold for non-serious participants, ensuring that only serious players enter production.
• The Ministry of Heavy Industries has allocated Rs 44 crore to ARAI to create the infrastructure required for the testing, certification, and development of electric and hybrid vehicles.

What Are Electric Vehicles?