Advancing standards, alternative fuels and AI-driven testing, ET Auto

Beyond batteries, ARAI is leading efforts in sustainable material research, e-waste management, battery waste, and circular economy practices.As India accelerates towards sustainable mobility, making significant strides in alternative fuels, battery safety, and emerging vehicle technologies, the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) has been at the forefront of these developments, playing a crucial role in standardisation, testing, and innovation.

Advancing alternative fuels and standardisation
Reflecting that Indian automotive industry is transforming at a very fast pace with new technologies and trends disrupting the ecosystem, Vijay Pankhawala, Sr. Deputy Director, Business Development & Corporate Planning, ARAI, says, “We have been familiar with biofuels and ethanol-blended fuels. As ethanol content increases and alternative fuels like hydrogen emerge, ARAI is actively engaged in understanding the underlying fuel technology. We are collaborating with experts and identifying areas where we can add value to enhance design, development, and technological advancements in alternative fuel applications.”

He further adds that standardisation, particularly on fuels, is one critical areas of work. “The fuels need to be notified or standards have to be decided, especially in case of bio-fuels and fuels derived from agro-products. Fuels derived from agro-products often exhibit significant variations due to their diverse sources. Therefore, there is one form of standardisation on the fuel quality itself, and other is when it gets into as a power source in ICE – on emission front.”

ARAI is working alongside other government and industry bodies towards defining quality standards for these fuels to ensure consistency in performance and emissions control. The association also evaluates the impact of these fuels on internal combustion engines (ICE), assessing aspects such as safety, efficiency, and environmental implications. “We are working across this spectrum to understand how alternative fuels influence both performance and the environment. While these fuels are considered environmentally beneficial, we need to study potential exhaust residues and their impact,” says Pankhawala.

Strengthening EV battery regulations and safety standards
Talking about battery regulations and safety standards, Abhijeet Mulay, Deputy Director, Automotive Electronics Department, ARAI, says, “Battery safety has become a major focus area, especially after the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) introduced stringent regulations in 2022. These mandates have aligned Indian standards with global benchmarks, including European Union norms.”

Mulay highlights that India has gone a step further by introducing additional safety measures not found anywhere else in the world. This includes the thermal propagation test for M and N category vehicles, as well as two- and three-wheelers—a globally unique regulation ensuring no external fire after thermal propagation, and safeguarding users and bystanders in case of a thermal runaway in the battery system.

The implementation of these regulations has significantly reduced battery-related safety incidents and improved overall manufacturing quality. “Earlier, these quality standards were not mandatory in India, but now, even small battery startups must comply. This has served as a quality filter—out of 150–200 battery manufacturers in India, only about 75–80% meet the stringent regulations, reinforcing the role of standards in ensuring high-quality products,” he adds.

Sustainability and battery lifecycle management
Beyond batteries, ARAI is leading efforts in sustainable material research, e-waste management, battery waste, and circular economy practices. “By collaborating with startups and innovators, we aim to develop environmentally-friendly solutions that can be scaled for widespread adoption across the automotive industry,” says Mulay.

“At ARAI, we have a dedicated sustainability group focused on new material recycling, including e-waste and battery waste,” shares Ujjwala Karle, Deputy Director, Technology Group, ARAI. “We are actively exploring how these materials can be effectively recycled, assessing their sustainability index, and identifying startups working in this space. Our goal is to collaborate with them, enhance recycling technologies, and develop more sustainable solutions for the industry.” She further shares that the proposed concept of Battery Passport, a unique identifier, akin to an ‘Aadhaar number’ for batteries, is expected to further bolster the sustainability index of battery technology.

Proactive approach to emerging technologies
ARAI adopts a forward-thinking approach by initiating research even before regulations are officially established. “We anticipate things and start building our teams slowly and engaging with experts across the world, acquiring knowledge, conducting experiments and recording finds,” says Pankhawala. For instance, in the case of nano-particles, ARAI conducted studies and submitted findings to the government to evaluate its impact citing the current technologies in market. Similarly, for ADAS and cybersecurity, where regulations are still in their early stages, ARAI is proactively setting up facilities and capabilities to lead the way in testing and validation.

One of ARAI’s notable contributions is its work on electric vehicle (EV) charging standards. “In 2017, when we certified first EV charger, the concept of networked charging infrastructure was non-existent. However, ARAI ensured that back-end communication protocols were embedded in the standards from the beginning. As a result, when interoperability and connectivity became critical in 2023, India’s charging infrastructure was already equipped with Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) integration,” shares Mulay.

Innovations in EV charging
At Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025, ARAI, along with CoEZET (Centre of Excellence for Zero Emission Trucking), IIT Madras, showcased an indigenously developed concept of Overhead Fast Charging System for e-trucks. “Last year, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) committee attempted to formulate a standard, but it was challenging as we couldn’t adopt the intellectual property (IP) of existing international standards,” explains Pankhawala. “Moreover, those international standards aren’t directly applicable to India, particularly for trucks, as we have smaller cabins, different height specifications, and unique environmental conditions. With IIT Madras, we have now developed an indigenous concept aimed at establishing national standards. This initiative is being carried out in consensus with truck manufacturers, charger manufacturers, and other key stakeholders.”

Enhancing vehicle safety through advanced testing
ARAI is expanding its testing infrastructure, launching an advanced battery testing lab in 2025 under the guidance of Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI). Moreover, the association is setting up state-of-the-art High Energy Impact Test (HEIT) facility for crash barriers, ensuring world-class safety benchmarks for India’s roads. “This facility will focus on comprehensive simulation, design validation, and real-world testing, ensuring that India’s road infrastructure meets the highest safety standards,” says Karle.

Additionally, ARAI extends its expertise to industry players at various stages of vehicle development. “Many OEMs and startups approach ARAI in the early design phases to leverage its testing and validation capabilities. By providing end-to-end support—from virtual simulations to physical testing—ARAI ensures that emerging automotive technologies align with global safety and performance benchmarks,” she adds.

Driving India’s autonomous mobility future
ARAI has been persistently working on autonomous driving and ADAS-related technologies, despite scepticism regarding their feasibility in India’s chaotic traffic conditions. Shares Karle, “Five years ago, many believed autonomous vehicles were impossible in India. However, we recognised early on that while full autonomy may be a distant goal, several by-products of autonomous vehicle research—such as collision avoidance systems and driver assistance features—could be immediately implemented in the Indian market.”

• Published On Feb 3, 2025 at 02:09 PM IST

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