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Battery Management Systems & Telematics Pave The Way For India's Electric Mayank Arya, Vehicle Future

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In a conversation with Charulatha, Correspondent, SiliconIndia. Sameer shares his views on the adoption of Battery Management System in EVs in India. During the conversation he also discussed how is the Battery swapping policy helping in developing a safe and reliant EV ecosystem for the country.

1.What role do you think Battery Management Systems (BMS) play in ensuring the longevity, safety and efficiency of EV batteries?
With the explosion of the EV segment, the LiOn battery ecosystem has become the focus around which most of the EV success would be anchored. The BMS for these batteries are the nerve centre managing the entire performance of the batteries.

Due to their sensitivity, EV batteries are subject to a number of safety risks during the course of their lifetime. These include mechanical abuse, electrical abuse, thermal abuse, and manufacturing flaws. Batteries may occasionally drain quickly due to chemical contamination, and there may be other manufacturing-related problems that influence performance. As a result, BMS becomes crucial component to vehicle safety and efficiency as it provides real-time information that enables prompt responses and ensures the vehicle's durability.

A sophisticated BMS has several sensors that send signals to shield the battery cells from issues including overcharging, undercharging, insulation faults, uniformity faults and rapid temperature surges. When a significant defect is detected, the sensors send signals to the vehicle control unit, which can then temporarily separate the battery pack from the power source. It collects and distributes data on the measured voltage of each battery cell, the current flowing across modules connected in parallel, and the temperature of each battery cell.

The battery management system is the most important part when switching from a car with a petrol or diesel engine to one with an electric motor.


2. How is the Battery swapping policy helping in developing a safe and reliant EV ecosystem for the country?

By 2030, it is anticipated that 30% of vehicles sold in India would be electric automobiles, according to a report by Council on Energy, Environment and Water. The Government of India is actively encouraging various technologies and business models that would assure lower upfront costs, little downtime, and lower space requirements for charging the batteries, the notion of battery swapping is designed to meet all the difficulties. Battery Swapping Policy is essential to the development of electric vehicles in the nation to make India 100% electric nation vehicle by 2030.

The battery swapping policy increases affordability and lowers battery expenses. Additionally, it will increase the sales of electric cars and make standardisation possible by swapping out solutions. The policy aims to establish a framework for improved interoperability while preserving the EV battery ecosystem's innovation potential. Several states in the country have already put strict regulations in place to guarantee 100% electrification.

"The future of BMS systems in EVs in India is bright, with the rising adoption of EVs and the government's push towards electric mobility."

The policy has broad implications and is challenging to implement but can still amplify the production capacity of the EV market through programmes and schemes and benefit consumers in a number of ways. It will cut down on charging times, controll the flow of time, increase EV output, and enhance accessibility. As a result, this legislation created by the Indian market will surely provide electric vehicles a boost.

A robust and helpful battery-swapping infrastructure is necessary to fasten India's transition to e-mobility. If the considerable benefits of battery swapping infrastructure are to be exploited, industry leaders' contributions to the development of an ecosystem and infrastructure that prioritises customer needs, safety, and convenience will be required.

3. Tell us about the major challenges with the adoption of Battery Management System in EVs in India.

The battery management system is the most important part when switching from a car with a petrol or diesel engine to one with an electric motor. It manages, organises, and ensures the safety of the entire battery set. It offers up-to-date information on the operational characteristics of batteries, including type, temperature, capacity, charge status, power consumption, and charge cycle. According to a NITI Aayog report, India’s annual battery market can exceed to $15 Billion by 2030.

The major challenges with BMS are of enhancing battery safety, cutting costs, locating new metals for the battery, raising capacity, and speeding up charging. The cars also frequently catch fire if the battery doesn't operate according to protocol. Users must therefore follow all instructions, keep the car out of direct sunlight, charge the battery according to specified guidelines, keep the car in continuous use, and obey all usage limitations.

As BMS is developing gradually, it will cut down on energy use and improve performance. We are likely to see increased market growth as the demand for electric vehicles increases. Future electric vehicle batteries will be easier to use, charge, and operate due to these reductions in complexity.

4. What role do you believe BMS and telematics will play in the Indian EV market going forward?

According to a report by IndiaSpend, the government hopes to reduce dependence on imported crude oil and vehicular pollution, which account for around 11% of India's carbon emissions and has set a goal of having at least 15% of the country's vehicles be electric by 2030. Batteries are unquestionably the most crucial component of electric vehicles. According to reports, the batteries for electric cars can cut carbon emissions by up to 30%–40%, and that number is predicted to constantly increase.

As we witness a growth in demand for electric vehicles, BMS is likely to see an increased demand as well. BMS will ensure operational effectiveness, cost effectiveness, and longevity of the battery systems in particular, as well as EVs as a whole. The development of intelligent batteries and related technologies would benefit the Indian electric mobility market. The secure operation of EV fleets and long-term EV manufacture in India will be made possible by locally developed advanced BMSs. BMS's own manufacturing capability may help the Make in India effort reduce the overall cost of EVs. The government attaching great importance to the implementation of the battery swapping policy with interoperability standards would only increase the technology's efficacy in the Indian EV industry.

Telematics is also one of the most emerging technology the Indian mobility industry. Telematics data is useful for managing routes effectively, assessing vehicle utilisation, tracking charge reporting, and evaluating the effectiveness of cost- and emission-reduction efforts The entire EV ecosystem including batteries is incomplete without IoT and Telematics. Intelligent and actionable data from the BMS has to be mined and used and this only possible through IoT interfaces which will extract this data and bring to life meaningful use cases to life.

5. What is the future of Battery Management System in Electric Vehicles in India?

The growth of the BMS market is expected to accelerate as the adoption of EVs increases in India. The demand for BMS systems is likely to surge in the coming years, driven by factors such as government incentives, rising fuel costs, and growing concerns about air pollution. In addition, as the battery technology evolves and improves, the role of BMS systems in managing and optimizing battery performance will become even more critical. With advancements in battery chemistry, the cost of batteries is expected to decrease, making EVs more affordable for consumers. Moreover, as the government aims to achieve its ambitious target of increasing EV penetration by 40% in buses, 70% in commercial vehicles, 30% in private cars and 80% in 2-3 wheelers, the demand for efficient and reliable BMS systems is likely to escalate in the coming years.

Another key trend in the BMS market is the integration of advanced technologies such as AI and machine learning. These technologies enable BMS systems to learn from the vehicle's usage patterns and optimize battery performance accordingly. This, in turn, can improve the range of EVs, reduce charging times, and enhance overall performance. The future of BMS systems in EVs in India is bright, with the rising adoption of EVs and the government's push towards electric mobility. The development of indigenous BMS technologies, integration of advanced technologies, and exploring opportunities in international markets are some of the key trends that are likely to shape the BMS market's growth in the coming years.