Executive Summary:

World Resources Institute India (WRI India) hosted a webinar on ‘Safety Readiness of Electric Vehicle (EV) Batteries in India’ to raise awareness regarding the safety challenges of EV batteries and solutions to overcome them. The panel comprised experts (see Appendix A for the list of panelists) who during the discussion highlighted the current safety concerns and charted the way forward for a safer EV battery ecosystem in India. The panel analyzed the recent EV fire incidents in India and other countries, shedding light on the reasons for them while focusing on operational and technological perspectives. The experts recommended the following measures to build a robust ecosystem for EV batteries.

Key Findings:

  • Ensure seamless implementation of safety standards and compliance for EV batteries from the cell to the pack level.
  • Use standardized chargers and introduce compliance standards for metered EV connections.
  • Deploy safety alert systems for battery packs to prevent fire hazards.
  • Encourage skill development and training of service providers and operators.
  • Promote innovation in the design of battery packs to improve their operational safety.
  • Develop a circular economy for battery packs and EV chargers.