India needs coordinated efforts across battery manufacturing, electric mobility, reuse and recycling to build a resilient and self-reliant battery ecosystem, experts and policymakers said at a national conference in New Delhi.The discussions focused on the growing importance of second-life applications for electric vehicle batteries, along with domestic manufacturing, battery traceability, safety standards and end-of-life management.Key HighlightsExperts called for greater focus on second-life EV battery applications.Used EV batteries could be repurposed for applications beyond electric mobility.Potential uses include rooftop solar, home appliances and UPS systems.Policymakers highlighted domestic battery manufacturing and supply chains.Battery traceability, standards and recycling were also discussed.Experts stressed designing batteries for circularity from the beginning.Why Are Second-Life Batteries Important?Electric vehicle batteries may no longer be suitable for demanding automotive use after their first life, but they can still retain value and performance for less demanding applications.Dr Vibha Dhawan, Director General of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), said the conversation around batteries should go beyond mobility and explore second-life applications that can extend the value and utilisation of EV batteries.Repurposing batteries can also support a circular economy by reducing waste and making greater use of materials and energy already invested in battery production.Where Can Used EV Batteries Be Used?Kuldeep Rana, Scientist E at the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, said second-life batteries have potential applications beyond electric vehicles.These include home appliances, rooftop solar photovoltaic systems and uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems. Such applications generally have different performance requirements from electric vehicles, making them potential candidates for repurposed batteries.Earlier analysis by NITI Aayog has also highlighted stationary applications as an important potential market for second-use batteries, while noting the need for appropriate safety and performance standards.India Focuses on Domestic Battery ManufacturingVijay Mittal, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Heavy Industries, said the government is working to strengthen domestic battery manufacturing and supply chains.The discussions at the conference covered the expansion of Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) manufacturing alongside electric mobility and emerging requirements for battery reuse, repurposing and recycling.Experts also stressed that increasing production volumes alone is not enough. AK Saxena, Senior Director at TERI, said India should focus on creating value domestically and designing batteries for circularity from the beginning.Battery Recycling and TraceabilityBattery traceability is becoming increasingly important as India develops a larger electric vehicle and energy-storage market.At the conference, policymakers and industry representatives discussed traceability, standards and recycling as part of building a competitive battery ecosystem.The need for better battery-health information has also been highlighted by recent research. RMI has proposed stronger systems for tracking battery history and condition so buyers, financiers, repurposers and recyclers can better understand the remaining value of used EV batteries.Need for a Circular Battery EcosystemVinayak Walimbe, Managing Director of IESA, called for greater domestic value addition to develop a stronger battery industry in India.The conference also discussed the wider battery value chain, including manufacturing, deployment, reuse, repurposing and recycling.A circular approach could help India retain more value from batteries after their initial use in electric vehicles. It could also support domestic supply chains and reduce dependence on imported raw materials over time. NITI Aayog has previously identified second-life applications and recycling as important elements of a broader battery circular economy.What Experts Say About India's Battery FutureThe discussions indicate that India's battery transition is moving beyond simply increasing EV adoption. Building a complete ecosystem will require coordination between manufacturers, policymakers, researchers, energy companies and recyclers.Experts at the conference highlighted the importance of battery design, remaining capacity, performance, safety standards and domestic value addition in making second-life applications commercially viable.As India's demand for electric mobility and energy storage grows, second-life batteries could become an important part of the country's efforts to develop a more circular and resilient battery ecosystem.
