Meeting India’s electric mobility needs: charging infrastructure and battery standards

More than 30 Indian and German standardisation experts and industry representatives discussed standards for electric vehicle charging infrastructure in New Delhi on 11 July 2019. The event took place during a delegation visit to India by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, and the German standardisation bodies DIN and DKE.

India’s mobility sector is developing rapidly. Mr Sajid Mubashir from the Indian Department of Science and Technology emphasised that the Indian government especially sees potential in promoting electric two- and three-wheelers. The fast development or adoption of standards for small and light electric vehicles as well as charging infrastructure are therefore a priority for India.

Experts presented the relevance of the Combined Charging System (CCS) for India. CCS is a key solution for open and universal charging systems for electric vehicles which is followed in the European Union and many other countries worldwide. The charging connector which is based on the international standard IEC 62196-2 could be easily extended to lower voltage applications for the Indian market. As the technology is license-free it could be localised and manufactured in India. German experts offered to contribute to solutions for the Indian market based on CCS technology within committees at the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).

Mr Philipp Saueracker from the DKE highlighted the productive Indo-German cooperation for electric mobility standards at the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) which Germany would like to continue. German industry experts presented technological developments for swappable batteries and corresponding standards. It was proposed that India and Germany should work together on this technology, especially modular batteries.

The event was organised by GIZ – the German Agency for International Cooperation – under the framework of the Indo-German Working Group on Quality Infrastructure between the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) and the Indian Ministry for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution. The Working Group has the goal to reduce technical barriers to trade and strengthen product safety through political and technical dialogue of relevant ministries and regulators. As part of the Global Project Quality Infrastructure (GPQI), GIZ has been commissioned by BMWi to support the Working Group in India.