Battery Pack Aadhaar Number (BPAN) – Transport Ministry proposes Aadhaar-like number

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has proposed an Aadhaar-like unique ID system for electric vehicle batteries to improve traceability, safety, and recycling.

The proposed Battery Pack Aadhaar Number (BPAN) is a 21-character digital identity assigned to every battery pack placed on the Indian market. With this, a battery can be tracked through its entire life cycle — from manufacturing and sale, to usage, repurposing, and final recycling or disposal.

Key Aspects of the BPAN Proposal:

• Unique Identity: Each battery receives a 21-character alphanumeric code, functioning like a “digital Aadhaar” for tracking.
• Traceability: The system covers the entire battery lifecycle: raw material sourcing, manufacturing, usage, second-life, and final disposal.
• Goal: To promote sustainability, prevent unsafe disposal, and encourage efficient recycling within the EV ecosystem.
• Applicability: Applies to EV batteries for L, M, and N category vehicles, along with industrial batteries over 2kWh.
• Mandatory Requirement: Producers or importers must assign a BPAN, making it a crucial regulatory step for tracking performance and safety.