Guardrails in the works to prevent tampering with EV batteries

New Delhi: The Centre is likely to enforce guardrails to prevent tampering with batteries of electric two- and three-wheelers by miscreants. Officials said new norms will ensure cybersecurity systems are in place for imported electric rickshaws, and electric scooters (e3w, and e2w), which have largely operated without regulations.

Meanwhile, mobile apps that can be used to sabotage existing electric e2w and e3w-with imported Chinese batteries-are likely to be banned. Officials from the Ministries of Heavy Industries, and Electronics and Information Technology are said to have deliberated on plugging the security vulnerabilities.

"The software security vulnerability will be plugged," a senior official told ET, adding downloads of mobile apps that can disturb e2w and e3w are expected to be curbed.


A decision to block these softwares has been taken after it was concluded that each exposed e2w and e3w, which has already been sold, cannot be individually fixed. The software in question exploits a vulnerability in the battery troubleshooting systems of e2w and e3w, allowing unauthorised users to meddle with operations.

A second official said e-rickshaws and low powered e-scooters (with speed limits) were allowed to operate in the country with the intent of increasing their proliferation. This allowed a flood of cheap chinese imports of e2w and e3w. "A call has been taken to ensure more safety and software safeguards in new e2w and e3w sold in the country," the official said, adding roadworthy certificates will be issued only to new vehicle models that are free from such vulnerabilities.

These new norms will also be applicable on completely imported vehicles sold in the country.