Battery Lifecycle Aadhaar: Enabling Digitalisation, Circular Economy and Responsible Battery Value Chains in India

The project examines the development and implementation of Battery Lifecycle Aadhaar, India’s proposed framework for digital battery identification and lifecycle traceability, focusing on circularity, resource efficiency, and responsible value chains.

Undertaken in partnership with Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India (MBRDI), this study informs a whitepaper titled “Battery Lifecycle Aadhaar: Enabling Digitalisation, Circular Economy and Responsible Battery Value Chains in India.” The whitepaper evaluates the global and domestic landscape of battery digitalization, assesses India’s ecosystem readiness, and maps critical gaps, unforeseen risks, opportunities, and implementation pathways.

As electric mobility and battery energy storage rapidly expand, end-to-end data on battery identity, chemistry, performance, ownership, and end-of-life condition becomes critical. Establishing reliable lifecycle traceability via Battery Aadhaar will underpin domestic resource security—facilitating safe reuse, repurposing, and recycling while maximizing critical material recovery and curbing import dependency.

The study reviews the draft AIS-227 standard for the Battery Pack Aadhaar Number (BPAN), analyzing its digital architecture, physical labeling requirements, production-line integration, data governance, and lifecycle tracking protocols. Drawing on international benchmarks from the European Union, China, Japan, and South Korea, it draws actionable lessons tailored to India’s manufacturing footprint and regulatory landscape.

In addition, the project assesses interoperability with global battery passport standards—particularly the EU Digital Product Passport—while evaluating compliance overhead and technical hurdles for domestic manufacturers, including Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

Ultimately, the study translates these insights into targeted policy and technical recommendations to refine draft standards, align stakeholders, and ensure cost-effective, scalable adoption that sharpens the global competitiveness of India's battery ecosystem.