Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal announced on Wednesday that the Indian government is working to develop mandatory quality standards for drones and electric vehicles (EVs) to reduce the import of sub-standard products and promote the domestic industry. The minister also said that the government is working to create quality control orders (QCOs) for the charging infrastructure of EVs.

Development of Quality Standards for UAVs and EVs

Goyal said that the development of standards for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) is currently underway. Work is also being carried out to enable UAVs to be used for general purposes and to establish testing requirements for sub-systems and cybersecurity. In addition, the government is working on standards for EVs and charging infrastructure, with specific requirements for the electric power train and rechargeable electrical energy storage systems for specific categories of vehicles, electric rickshaws, and the type approval of hybrid electric vehicles.

Detailed Consultations with Industry

Goyal further stated that all standards are created through detailed consultations with the industry. Pramod Kumar Tiwari, Director General of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), added that the standards for batteries have already been developed and that they are now working on battery swapping.

Tiwari stated that the standard for UAVs is under development, including general requirements, testing requirements for sub-systems, and cybersecurity, with cybersecurity playing an essential role in protecting drones from cyberattacks, unauthorized access, and data theft.

Opposition from the Industry

Goyal admitted that it has taken some time to develop the quality standards as there has been opposition from the industry. He called for cooperation from the industry in creating the standards.

Tiwari also mentioned that the development of the document on UAVs is being done based on risk identification. Compliance with this document will ensure the protection of sensitive data, maintain privacy, ensure safe operations, and prevent hijacking.

Conclusion

The introduction of quality standards for drones and EVs will not only reduce sub-standard imports but also support the domestic industry. The development of QCOs for EV charging infrastructure and cybersecurity standards for drones will further benefit the Indian market.

The government’s efforts in developing quality standards demonstrate a positive direction towards the adoption of advanced technology and ensuring the safety and security of the Indian market.