Piyush Goyal Advocates for Battery Swapping and Charging Infrastructure at Every Fuel Station
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New Delhi, Jan 3 (NationPress) The integration of battery swapping facilities alongside charging infrastructure is essential for promoting the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in India, according to Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, who spoke on Friday.
During a consultation meeting on the ‘Development of Battery Charging and Swapping Infrastructure,’ co-hosted by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), the minister stated that the transition to EVs should be regarded as “a people’s movement” driven by the establishment of charging facilities.
Goyal proposed that all petrol stations, CNG outlets, and similar establishments be equipped with both battery swapping and charging capabilities.
“This approach would not only mitigate the issue of vandalism currently impacting the sector but also guarantee the availability of facilities across various locations, preventing undue concentration in selective areas,” Goyal emphasized.
The meeting also featured Union Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Steel, Bhupathi Raju Srinivasa Varma, along with Amardeep Singh Bhatia, Secretary of DPIIT, and senior officials from multiple ministries.
Industry leaders from automobile, battery, battery charging, and battery swapping sectors, including Amara Raja Advanced Cell Technologies, SUN Mobility, TVS Motor Company, Gorogo, Ather Energy, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd, Hero MotoCorp, and Bajaj Auto, were also present.
Industry representatives pointed out that the battery swapping market is expected to reach $20 billion by 2030. They underlined the necessity for a level playing field regarding subsidies and incentives for fixed-battery EV manufacturers.
It was noted that technological advancements in the sector have enabled battery replacement using robotics in as little as 135 seconds.
While safety concerns persist, stakeholders stressed the importance of accountability and the establishment of clear standards by relevant authorities, such as the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
