To curb pollution, Govt proposes battery-swap plan for e-bikes, rickshaws

India proposed a battery-swapping program to expedite the adoption of electric scooters and rickshaws as it tries to curb pollution and tackle climate change.

The policy, which will be valid through March 2025, is targeted at electric two- and three-wheel vehicles “heavily concentrated” in urban areas, according to a statement by government policy making body, Niti Aayog. In the first phase, battery-swapping networks will be built in metro cities with a population of more than 4 million, while the second phase will cover cities with over 500,000 people.

While interoperability between electric vehicles and batteries is critical for safety and cost-effectiveness, the