Tata Elxsi “Battery Aadhaar” Scheme Could Help Trace EV Batteries, Manage Lifecycles

Tata Elxsi has announced a new “Battery Aadhaar” initiative which it envisions as the framework for a national battery identification and tracking system. Such a concept could create a traceable chain of custody for every battery deployed, allowing users and manufacturers to verify the authenticity of each unit as well as access key information such as its manufacturer identity, lifecycle, usage history, and raw material sourcing. 

Such information would help generate real-time analytics as well as data that can be studied across entire fleets of deployed batteries, to generate predictions for battery health and overall life expectancy. It would also help ensure smart and transparent second-life reuse or recycling, and prevent unauthorised or unsafe usage or disposal. Users, manufacturers and regulators would be able to understand real-world conditions and make decisions backed by large amounts of data. 

The framework for the proposed Battery Aadhaar system is based on Tata Elexsi’s Mobius+ platform, using blockchain technology for traceability and scalability. Compliance reporting would be automated. The company says it has factored in emerging regulatory compliance requirements in India as well as the EU, North America and Japan, and other global “battery passport” proposals. It is backed by a consortium including Tata Elxsi, Tata Motors, Tata AutoComp Systems (TACO), IIT Kharagpur, WRI, Lohum Cleantech, Nunam Technologies, and Oorja Energy.

Tata Elxsi’s Mobius+ platform is designed to allow device and battery manufacturers to optimise market supply, promote standards compliance, track supply chain data, and improve production quality as well as sustainability. Car manufacturers would be able to validate battery vendors and ensure regulatory compliance in addition to providing better after-sales support based on data and trend analysis.

Recycling and repurposing batteries would become easier and safer thanks to the diagnostics available for each individual battery and data about overall health and capacity. If batteries are being dismantled at the end of their useful life, the data is also useful for raw material recovery and traceability.

The Mobius+ platform is designed to allow automated or manual record creation. The company says its blockchain mechanisms are auditable, tamper-proof, and secure. Different stakeholders can access different types and levels of data – an end user might not need the same level of detail as an OEM, and proprietary or otherwise sensitive data can be restricted to authorised parties only, while still allowing for multi-stakeholder collaboration. Data can be stored in a cloud or on-premises, depending on client requirements.