Pakistan Moves to Set Safety Standards for Lithium-Ion EV Batteries
ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Industries and Production has directed the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) to develop comprehensive standards for lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles (EVs), as Pakistan moves to establish a regulatory framework for the rapidly expanding electric mobility sector.
The directive comes as the government works with relevant stakeholders to finalise the Next Generation Energy Storage Policy 2026-2033. Engineering Development Board (EDB) Chief Executive Hammad Mansoor is expected to present an updated version of the policy at an upcoming stakeholders’ meeting.
A senior official of the Ministry of Industries said that while work on the energy storage policy was underway, PSQCA had been asked to formulate dedicated standards for lithium-ion batteries, particularly those used in electric vehicles. The official said Pakistan currently has standards and products largely focused on consumer-grade lithium batteries used in devices such as mobile phones and laptops, whereas EV battery packs require significantly more advanced industrial standards because they operate at substantially higher voltage and capacity levels.
The development of standards is also expected to facilitate local manufacturing and assembly of EV batteries. Several EV assemblers in Pakistan have expressed their willingness to work with the EDB on establishing lithium-ion battery assembly or cell manufacturing facilities. The official said internationally aligned standards were also necessary to ensure that imported lithium-ion batteries meet appropriate safety, durability and performance requirements.
As there are currently no dedicated national standards for EV-grade lithium-ion batteries, the Ministry of Industries has asked PSQCA to prepare standards that can subsequently be incorporated into the Next Generation Energy Storage Policy. One of the key areas under consideration is cell safety and abuse testing. The proposed framework would require batteries to undergo extreme-stress validation, including physical destruction and abuse tests such as mechanical crushing, overcharging and thermal abuse, without resulting in fire.
Another major area requiring regulation is the Battery Management System (BMS), which plays a critical role in monitoring and protecting EV battery cells. According to the official, Pakistan currently has no specific regulations governing BMS systems for EV batteries. Proposed standards would require advanced BMS protection, including rapid cut-off mechanisms to prevent damage caused by overvoltage and undervoltage conditions, which can result in cell swelling and other safety hazards.
The proposed standards would also cover thermal defect logging, requiring battery systems to remain functional and safe under Pakistan’s local temperature and environmental conditions. Fire safety is another major component of the proposed standards, with EV battery packs expected to incorporate fire-containment mechanisms designed to prevent thermal propagation when an individual cell fails. The proposed framework includes the use of materials such as aerogel or fire-retardant epoxy sheets between cell modules to limit heat transfer and reduce the risk of a single-cell failure developing into a larger battery fire.
The standards would also address Pakistani road durability, with battery packs expected to withstand harsh operating conditions. One proposed test would require a finished battery pack to survive a one-metre drop onto bare concrete without structural cracks, leakage or internal damage. The proposed standards would further include environmental protection requirements covering dust, weather exposure and water resistance. Battery packs would need adequate shielding against environmental ingress and be designed to withstand water exposure, including conditions associated with flooding and monsoon rains.
The ministry also noted the absence of dedicated baseline standards for the structural integrity of battery containers in four-wheeler applications, particularly in relation to existing lead-acid battery systems. The development of comprehensive lithium-ion battery standards is expected to provide a regulatory foundation for EV battery imports, local assembly and future cell manufacturing, while improving consumer safety and supporting Pakistan’s transition towards electric mobility.