ChargeZone Introduces Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) for commercial EVs in India

ChargeZone, an EV charging network in India, has introduced its new Battery Passport System. This digital platform provides a detailed record of a battery's lifecycle, gathering comprehensive information at each stage.

The Battery Passport System aims to support the transition from a linear to a circular economy by offering transparent information throughout the battery's life. This transparency is designed to benefit all participants in the EV battery ecosystem, including EV buyers, manufacturers, recyclers, and economic operators.

The system will also help optimise battery usage and value. Through a Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) model for commercial electric vehicles like buses and trucks, ChargeZone will cover upfront battery costs, offer clear energy pricing for pre-defined mileage, and ensure reliable performance metrics. It will also assist in repurposing and recycling battery packs, utilising real-time monitoring of key battery characteristics.

Kartikey Hariyani, Founder and CEO of ChargeZone, highlighted the introduction of the Battery Passport System as a step toward redefining the EV industry in India. He mentioned that the system includes a financial element that separates EV and battery costs, promoting financial viability.

Initial deployments will target electric buses with 200KWh battery capacities, with plans to establish long-term agreements for Charging-As-A-Service (CaaS) and Energy as a Service (EaaS) in India’s expanding electric bus market. The system also facilitates repurposing batteries for lower-duty cycle applications. 

Ravindra Mohan, Group Director at ChargeZone, explained that the system, built on the Industrial IoT 5.0 platform, meets industry standards to ensure accurate, secure, and accessible battery information. It covers aspects like data verification, battery storage, sharing, and identification, while also complying with regulations for separating EVs into vehicle and battery components. This solution is designed to streamline operations and improve efficiency for manufacturers and users, promoting environmental sustainability and contributing to cleaner energy solutions.

India's electric vehicle growth is driving the development of the battery storage sector. Projections indicate that India's battery storage capacity could reach 600 GWh by 2030, driven by the demand for electric mobility. As part of its renewable energy goals, the Indian government aims to add around 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, reinforcing the need for flexible energy solutions like battery storage.

The cumulative potential for lithium-ion batteries in India from 2022 to 2030 is estimated at approximately 600 GWh, with a recycling volume of around 128 GWh by 2030. Investment in energy storage infrastructure is essential for advancing renewable energy and EV adoption across the country.