The recent white paper on “Tropical EV Batteries,” published by the Department of Science and Technology in collaboration with the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and industry stakeholders, underscores critical pathways for developing an R&D ecosystem tailored to India’s tropical conditions. This white paper highlights the importance of measurable outcomes in technology development projects.

The culture of innovation must be industry-wide, requiring strong multi-stakeholder participation to drive forward safe, durable and efficient EV technologies in India.

From this perspective, CSE has initiated a series of investigations into various aspects of battery technology development starting with the Battery Management System (BMS). The goal is to understand the current status, opportunities and potential for advancement in this field, while identifying gaps in existing regulations and standards that need to be addressed to guide the way forward.

The battery management system (BMS) is an electronic control circuit integrated within battery packs. The BMS plays a critical role in monitoring and regulating key functions related to safety, performance and optimizing the lifespan of batteries under various charging, discharging and environmental conditions. Its primary goal is to ensure that the battery remains safe, reliable and durable while preventing potential damage.

With rising temperatures across the country, the need for domestically designed and manufactured BMS for electric vehicle batteries has become crucial. These systems must be resilient and responsive, tailored to the unique demands of the battery vehicle in terms of cell chemistry, weather, geography and durability.