Government Regulatory Policies in India EV Battery Swapping Scenario

Introduction

In India, the EV battery-swapping domain is outgrowing to become a parallel solution to fixed EV charging infrastructure. Suitable for electric two and three-wheelers in densely populated city settings, battery swapping offers hassle-free energy refueling, cutting downtime for vehicles against range anxiety. Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) models allow a user to lease a battery rather than own it, greatly reducing the initial cost of the EV and thus facilitating largescale EV adoption, especially among gig economy workers and delivery fleet operators.

The scheme for battery swapping fits well into India's approach towards cheap, scalable, and efficient EV adoption. The Ministry of Power has given recognition to battery swapping within the ambit of national charging guidelines, while Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is working on norms for interoperability. For instance, the FAME II scheme support EVs with swappable battery, more so in the three-wheeler segment.

Battery swapping is most prominent in two- and three-wheeler segments as it represents the majority of India’s EV fleet. Electric auto-rickshaws, food delivery bikes, and courier vehicles benefit most from this infrastructure. Swapping helps avoid long queues and electricity constraints in high-demand areas.

Delhi, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka are leading in swapping station rollouts. Delhi’s EV policy specifically allocates funds and land for setting up swapping stations, particularly in congested areas. Southern states are integrating swapping stations into smart city mobility hubs and offering pilot subsidies to startups.

While battery swapping offers rapid and modular solutions for urban mobility, it operates alongside India’s expansive fixed EV charging ecosystem. 

For deeper insights into grid-tied chargers, DC fast-charging trends, state-by-state breakdowns, and long-term infrastructure forecasts, explore the full report  - India EV Charging Market

Deployment Trends and Business Models

Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) is the dominant business model in this area, where users subscribe to battery plans and change batteries based on need. In June 2025, Ather Energy disclosed plans to introduce a BaaS model, enabling electric two-wheeler users to subscribe to swappable batteries. Battery swapping stations can be described as compact modular kiosks that can be deployed at petrol stations, parking bays, and last-mile logistics hubs.

Renewable or hybrid sources usually power these stations, with a cloud-based platform managing the entire operation. Touted to be a digital layer, battery diagnostics, payment integration, station availability allow comparison to smart EV charging apps. Battery aggregators are testing second-life battery applications and energy storage-as-a-service models to improve grid resilience further.

The battery swapping market is poised for steady growth through the forecast period as standardization improves and business models mature. Interoperability across different vehicle brands and battery types remains a challenge but is actively being addressed through regulatory and industry-led efforts. Future opportunities include the integration with renewable energy sources for off-grid swapping, Urban logistics partnerships for fleet-scale deployments and AI-driven battery analytics and predictive maintenance.

Table of Contents

1. EV Battery Swapping Market Overview and Use Case
2. Government Policies and Regulatory Push
3. Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) and Emerging Business Models
4. Deployment Strategies in High-Density Urban Areas
5. Infrastructure Design: Kiosk and Modular Station Formats
6. Renewable Integration and Energy Management in Swapping
7. Second-Life Battery Applications and Grid Services
8. Leading Segments: Two-Wheelers, Three-Wheelers, Logistics
9. Regional Leaders: Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka Initiatives
10. Future Outlook and Growth Opportunities

Related Resources

Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Market

India Electric Three‑Wheeler Market

Electric Bus Charging Infrastructure Market