Can a National Battery-Swapping Consortium Unlock 4W EV Adoption in India?

Picture a future where EV drivers enjoy the same ease as refueling a petrol car—regardless of the vehicle’s brand. A Maruti, a Mahindra, and a Tata Ace EV pull into the same swap station, exchange depleted batteries for fully charged ones, and drive off in minutes. No queues. No compatibility issues. No downtime.

This isn’t a distant dream—it’s a tangible possibility. But unlocking it will take more than innovation. It calls for collective action—a unified push by OEMs, battery-swapping players, and infrastructure developers, with the government acting as the central convener to bind it all together.

India’s 4W EV Challenge

India's EV market is scaling rapidly—projected to grow at a CAGR of 35% and reach 27.2 million units annually by 2032. However, this growth is skewed toward two- and three-wheelers.

In April 2025, EV sales hit a record 167,629 units, but four-wheelers made up less than 12,000. Despite a healthy 44% YoY growth, 4Ws still lag due to high upfront costs, inadequate charging infrastructure, and long charging times.

The Vision: Interoperability at Scale

Battery swapping has already proven its mettle in the 2W and 3W segments—delivering faster turnarounds and lower costs. But the 4W segment remains largely untapped, representing a high-potential frontier.

Now imagine a network of swap hubs across every city and expressway—serving EVs of all brands, models, and use-cases. To move from isolated pilots to a seamless, nationwide experience, interoperability must be backed by industry alignment. That’s where a national consortium becomes essential—transforming a promising concept into a scalable solution.

Unlocking Potential: Why a Consortium is the Missing Link

A national consortium, co-led by auto OEMs and leading battery-swapping players acting as catalysts, could establish and govern these shared standards.

Multiple players are piloting swapping for commercial vehicles and e-buses—but in silos. A national battery-swapping consortium could:

• Enable brand-agnostic interoperability

• Prevent fragmented, duplicative infrastructure

• Reduce total cost of ownership for users

• Boost consumer confidence through seamless infrastructure availability

Learning from Global Playbooks

India’s four-wheeler EV segment isn’t the only market grappling with fragmented infrastructure, high costs, and limited interoperability. Around the world, nations have overcome similar roadblocks by adopting one powerful approach: collaboration.

Consider China, where battery-swapping success is underpinned by strategic alliances. SAIC Motor, the country’s largest automaker, partnered with battery giant CATL to co-develop swap-enabled EVs and standardized, interchangeable batteries.

Japan offers another compelling example. Gachaco, a consortium formed by Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki, and energy major Eneos, is building a nationwide network of standardized swappable batteries for two-wheelers—transforming how riders access clean energy.

Meanwhile, in Europe, the Swappable Batteries Motorcycle Consortium (SBMC) shows how even cross-border partnerships can lay the foundation for global standards—driving both interoperability and innovation.

The lesson is clear: consortiums are not just coordination platforms—they are force multipliers. Structured, government-supported consortiums have driven faster EV uptake and more accessible infrastructure in global markets.

Can Government Be the Central Glue?

While private players must lead innovation, the government’s role as facilitator is critical. The Ministry of Power’s 2025 battery-swapping guidelines are a positive step—but real progress needs:

• Alignment among OEMs and battery-swapping companies

• Shared battery standards

• Incentives for the development of swappable 4W models

• Government-facilitated access to urban and highway real estate

• Integration of swapping into urban planning and EV policies

If leading automakers commit to swappable four-wheelers and common standards, India can build a seamless, multi-brand swap network—especially in urban centers and along major corridors.

Why Now is the Right Time

The technology is ready. Swap times are under two minutes. Infrastructure players are scaling, but no single entity can carry the capex burden alone. A consortium offers a pragmatic solution:

• Enables OEMs to co-develop swappable EVs

• Builds neutral infrastructure led by 1–2 central battery-swapping players

• Reduces duplication, cuts costs, and enables faster rollouts

• Creates high-density, multi-brand swapping hubs in cities and along highways

A Call for Collective Leadership

India’s 4W EV transition won’t be driven by isolated efforts. It demands a united front—one where OEMs, swapping players, and policymakers co-create the path forward. A national battery-swapping consortium can be the catalyst to align industry, accelerate adoption, and ensure equitable access.

The question isn’t whether battery swapping can work for four-wheelers. It’s whether India will lead the charge—together.

Pulkit Khurana is the Co-Founder and CEO at Battery Smart. Views expressed are the author's personal.