The government will soon frame efficiency parameters for batteries powering EVs as it invites bids for setting up gigafactories or giant battery plants in India. A high-level panel has been set up under the Bureau of Energy Efficiency to frame performance criteria and efficiency parameters that can help battery swapping in EVs. Battery swapping will allow consumers to replace depleted batteries with fully charged ones. This can only happen once standards and parameters are in place and adhered to by all battery manufacturers.

The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) under the aegies of the power ministry today released the State Energy Efficiency Index 2019, a portal that will track the progress of energy efficiency initiatives in all the states and union territories based on 97 indicators. The Index launched by power minister will help states contribute towards national goals on energy security and climate action by helping drive energy efficiency policies and program implementation at the state and local level, according to a statement.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a loan of $250 million as part of an assistance package to Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a public sector energy service company, to expand energy efficiency investments in India. India has seen strong economic expansion over the last decade and a half, a period in which carbon dioxide emissions from fuel combustion have outpaced economic growth, reaching more than 2 billion tons in 2016, compared to 890,000 tons in 2000. The country is still largely dependent on fossil fuels, particularly coal power.