The Bureau of Indian Criteria (BIS) has issued performance standards for electric car batteries in order to protect customer safety, according to a top consumer affairs ministry official on Thursday. According to the official, BIS, the national standards-setting agency that reports to the consumer affairs ministry, has produced performance specifications for electronic car batteries.

The standard "IS 17855: 2022" was developed for lithium-ion traction battery packs and systems of electrically propelled road vehicles and is compatible with "ISO 12405-4: 2018", according to the official.

The new Electric Vehicle (EV) battery standard, according to the official, comprises the test technique for the essential characteristics of performance, dependability, and electrical functioning for the battery packs and system for either high power or high energy application.

This standard was developed with real-life scenarios for an electric vehicle in mind, such as the vehicle in parking (battery is not used for an extended period of time), the battery system being shipped (stored), the battery operating at low and high temperatures, and so on. As a result, various tests are included in this standard.

An electric motor and rechargeable batteries power electric cars. Electric cars have gained market awareness and availability over the last decade. Because of its excellent power-to-weight ratio, lithium-ion batteries are used in the majority of electric cars.

The BIS is in the midst of developing two further standards relating to batteries for various passenger and goods carrying vehicles (L, M, and N categories), the source added, citing the safety aspect of batteries for electronic cars.