Battery Management System

NITI Aayog and the Department of Science & Technology (DST) have kicked off deliberations on developing an open-source battery management system (BMS) for two- and three-wheeler EVs. The idea is to develop a BMS solution tailored for Indian conditions.

Background –

• The idea to develop an open source BMS was first floated in 2021.
• However, it caught renewed momentum in the wake of several recent instances of two-wheeler electric vehicles catching fire.

Battery Management System (BMS) –

• EVs are primarily powered by a battery pack consisting of Lithium-ion (Li-ion) cells, and a BMS is applied to the battery pack to make sure it operates safely.
• A BMS is essentially an electronic system that is connected to all the cells in a Lithium-ion battery pack, and constantly measures the voltage and current flowing through it.
• A BMS also comes equipped with lots of temperature sensors, providing it information on temperatures at different sections of the battery pack.

What is the need of an indigenous BMS?

• Many Indian two- and three-wheeler EV companies import batteries and some other critical components of EVs.
• These imported components may not be suitable for Indian conditions by virtue of not having undergone rigorous testing.
• In the recent past, concerns have been raised due to fire accidents being reported from various parts of the country, claiming at least 4 lives.
• With growing EV penetration, it is very important to develop a BMS suitable for the Indian operating conditions.

How an ‘open source’ BMS helps?

• The NITI Aayog and the Department of Science & Technology want to come up with a low-cost open source BMS solution suited to Indian conditions.
• By virtue of being open source, the solution can be customised by the likes of researchers and industry players while largely remaining cost effective.