Government Proposes Unique ID for EV Batteries to Enhance Traceability and Recycling

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has proposed a landmark initiative to assign a unique Aadhaar-like identification number, called the Battery Pack Aadhaar Number (BPAN), to every electric vehicle (EV) battery in India. This step is aimed at ensuring end-to-end traceability of batteries and improving the efficiency of recycling practices across the EV ecosystem.

Under the draft guidelines, battery producers or importers must assign a 21-character BPAN to each battery they introduce into the market, including batteries used for self-consumption. They are also required to upload dynamic data about the battery to an official BPAN portal, ensuring comprehensive tracking throughout the battery's lifecycle. The BPAN must be placed in a clearly visible and durable location on the battery to prevent damage or loss.

The system is designed to capture critical information from raw material extraction and manufacturing through to usage, recycling, or final disposal. If a battery is recycled or repurposed, a new BPAN must be issued by the same or a new producer/importer, maintaining transparency and accountability.

MoRTH highlighted that this initiative will enhance sustainability and regulatory compliance, facilitate second-life usage of batteries, and ensure efficient recycling. Currently, EV batteries account for 80–90% of India’s lithium-ion battery demand, and the BPAN framework is expected to cover industrial batteries above 2 kWh as well, extending beyond automotive applications.

This policy represents a significant step toward structured management of battery lifecycle data, supporting India’s push for a sustainable and robust EV ecosystem.

Battery digital-passport-style traceability aligns with what the EU Battery Regulation already requires, and it becomes table stakes for battery manufacturers wanting export access to European markets. Our supply-chain-and-operations and circular-economy teams help EV, battery and recycling clients build the traceability and circularity infrastructure these rules increasingly require.