MoRTH Permits Sale and Registration of EVs Without Batteries

In a letter to transport secretaries of all the states and union territories, the ministry has clarified that vehicles without batteries can be sold and registered based on the type approval certificate issued by the testing agency, a MoRTH release has said.

Further, there won't be a need to specify the mark or type or any other details of the battery for registration. However, the prototype of the electrical vehicle, and the battery, whether it is regular or swappable, is required to be type approved by the test agencies specified under Rule 126 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989.

The attention of states and union territories has been drawn to the relevant forms under Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. These, including Form-21 (sale certificate), Form-22 (roadworthiness certificate issued by the manufacturer) and Form-22-A (roadworthiness certificate issued for motor vehicles where fabrication of the body is done separately), required for the registration of motor vehicles under Rule 47 (application for registration of motor vehicles), clearly specify engine number or motor number in case of battery-operated vehicles.

It has also been suggested to MoRTH to delink the cost of the battery, which currently accounts for 30-40 per cent of the total cost, from the vehicle cost for the promotion of two and three-wheelers in the category. Vehicles can then also be sold in the market without battery. This will make the upfront cost of the electrical two and three-wheeler to be lower than the internal combustion engine (ICE). The battery could be provided separately by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) or the energy service provider.