SUN Mobility has received AIS-038 certification from the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), Chakan, for its high-voltage modular swappable battery platform designed for truck and bus applications. According to the company, the certification follows testing related to safety, performance, and reliability for commercial vehicle use.
Platform Design and Configuration
The battery platform is available in two variants - 50 kWh and 100 kWh and operates in the 660V category. These battery modules can be combined depending on vehicle requirements.
The system is designed to support both new vehicle integration and retrofit applications. It is built to work across different categories of commercial vehicles, including small, medium, and heavy-duty trucks and buses.
Also Read: Exide Industries Invests Rs 450 Crore in Lithium-Ion EV Battery Business
Development Background
SUN Mobility began work on battery swapping systems for buses in 2019. The company states that its current platform is part of a broader high-voltage ecosystem for electric commercial vehicles.
The company has filed over 160 intellectual property applications, out of which more than 40 have been granted.
Industry Context
The certification comes at a time when demand for electric commercial vehicles is increasing, supported by government initiatives such as the PM e-DRIVE scheme. These initiatives aim to promote the adoption of electric buses and trucks and reduce emissions in the transport sector.
Battery swapping is being explored as one of the approaches to address challenges such as vehicle downtime and operational efficiency in commercial fleets.
Elctrik Speaks
The AIS-038 certification indicates regulatory progress around high-voltage battery systems for commercial EVs. Standardisation and testing frameworks may play a role in enabling wider adoption of battery swapping, particularly in segments where vehicle uptime and operational costs are key factors.
Ashok Agarwal, CEO, SUN Mobility - HEV Business, said, “Induction of swap-enabled Heavy Electric Vehicles will be imperative to bring EV adoption from the margins to mainstream. The AIS-038 certification is a reaffirmation of SUN Mobility's mission — to democratize EV adoption through Made in India battery swapping solutions for the World.”
Naveen Chopra, Chief Technology Officer & Chief Operating Officer (Manufacturing Operations), SUN Mobility - HEV Business, said, “The development of this high-voltage swappable battery platform marks a significant step forward in addressing the complex performance and reliability requirements of heavy commercial vehicles. Achieving AIS 038 certification for an indigenously designed system validates the robustness of our engineering and our ability to build scalable, modular solutions tailored for real-world operating conditions.”
