Certification Challenges to Advanced UAV Batteries in India

As the global shift towards the ‘electrification of everything’ accelerates, battery technology has emerged as a critical enabler across various industries. The post-pandemic era has seen a significant growth in the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and drone industry, necessitating the development of high-power density, non-explosive and durable batteries. Current standards, such as those defined by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), primarily focus on nickel and lithium-based chemistries, leaving emerging technologies like graphene, sodium and aluminum-based batteries, outside the regulatory framework. This commentary explores the challenges faced in accommodating evolving battery technologies for UAV applications and recommends the development of a technology-agnostic regulatory and certification framework to promote innovations and safety in this rapidly advancing field.

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