RACEnergy has cleared the Automotive Industry Standard (AIS) 156 Phase II certification for its swappable batteries. The certification was earned after tests were completed at the Automotive Research Association of India's (ARAI) Chakan, Pune facility, making the Hyderabad-based electric vehicle infrastructure and deep-tech battery swapping start-up the first company to meet the new certification requirements.

The AIS 156 Phase II certification is mandated by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to ensure the safety and performance standards of electric vehicles (EVs) on Indian roads. Under the AIS-156 Phase II certification, swappable batteries must meet certain requirements, including their physical dimensions, electrical characteristics, and safety features. Additionally, the batteries must be designed for easy swapping and should not require any special tools or skills to replace them.

The certification is part of the Indian government's efforts to promote the use of electric vehicles as a means to reduce carbon emissions and dependence on fossil fuels.

Speaking on clearing the certification, Gautham Maheswaran, Co-founder, RACEnergy, said that this achievement was a significant milestone in their journey to revolutionise the electric mobility sector in India.

The battery testing standard came with its unique needs for upgrading the technology inside the battery module, including battery management control, thermal runaway protection, and increased thermal monitoring, he added.

The certification is expected to boost the adoption of EVs in India, particularly in the two-wheeler segment, which is the largest market for electric vehicles (selling over 720,733 units in FY2023) in the country. Swappable battery technology is seen as a key enabler for the growth of EVs in India as it allows for quick and easy battery replacement, thereby addressing the issue of range anxiety and enabling longer trips.