Centre introduces new standards to enhance the safety performance of EVs

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, has introduced stringent new safety standards for Electric Vehicles (EVs) across various categories. These standards, IS 18590: 2024 and IS 18606: 2024, focus on critical components like powertrains and batteries to ensure robust safety and performance. This initiative underscores India's proactive approach to diversifying and securing its EV sector, aiming to establish a solid foundation for sustainable mobility solutions.

These standards apply to electric cars, buses, trucks, E-rickshaws, and E-Karts, expanding the number of dedicated Indian Standards for EVs and accessories, including charging systems, to 30. Last year's IS 18294: 2023 introduction specifically addresses safety concerns for E-rickshaws and E-Karts, ensuring comprehensive safety from construction to functionality for drivers and passengers.

These measures are pivotal as India develops a sustainable and efficient transportation system. The government plans to implement standardized charging protocols in response to industry concerns about inconsistent charging infrastructure. Recent amendments by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) to EV battery testing standards under AIS-156 and AIS-038 (Revision 2) further enhance safety requirements for battery components, emphasizing design safety and mitigating risks such as thermal propagation from internal short circuits.

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.