ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Industries has directed the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) to begin developing standards for lithium-ion vehicle batteries.
The ministry was already working with stakeholders to finalise Pakistan’s Next Generation Energy Storage Policy (2026-2033). Engineering Development Board (EDB) Chief Executive Hammad Mansoor is expected to present the upgraded version of this policy at a stakeholders’ meeting shortly.
A senior industries ministry official stated that while the policy was being developed, PSQCA was asked to establish standards for lithium-ion batteries.
The official explained that, currently, only basic consumer-grade lithium batteries are available for devices such as mobile phones and laptops, whereas EV battery packs require advanced, high-grade industrial frameworks capable of handling the high-voltage and high-capacity demands of four-wheeled electric vehicles.
PSQCA to develop lithium-ion battery assembly, import standards
Incidentally, many EV assemblers in Pakistan have expressed willingness to work with the EDB to establish a Li-ion battery assembly or cell manufacturing plant. “Standards are also needed to ensure that lithium batteries being imported into the country are safe and durable,” the official added.
Since there are no standards for EV-grade batteries, the industries ministry has asked the PSQCA to prepare standards for adoption under the Next Generation Energy Storage Policy. Key segments of the battery standards include “Cell Safety & Abuse Testing”, which should include Extreme Stress Validation, and the cells must pass computerised physical destruction tests, including mechanical crushing, overcharging, and thermal abuse without catching fire.
Also, there were no dedicated 4-wheeler baseline or fundamental container integrity standards applied to lead-acid batteries.
Another critical aspect of lithium-ion batteries was the Battery Management System (BMS). There are no regulations in this regard.
The PSQCA is required to have standards, as smart BMS microsecond cutoffs were needed because overvoltage and undervoltage lead to cell swelling.
The standards for Thermal Defect Logging are required to ensure that the battery remains functional and safe under local temperatures and conditions. The Li-ion batteries must have a “Fire Containment” mechanism, with the finished batteries structurally incorporating aerogel or fire-retardant epoxy sheets to prevent heat transfer between cell modules during a single-cell failure.
The other Li-ion battery standards include “Pakistani Road Durability”, and the battery pack must withstand a ‘1-metre’ drop onto bare concrete with no structural cracks, leaks, or internal damage. Environmental egress, general dust shields, and weatherproofing, mainly water-submersion resistant for flooding and monsoon conditions.
Published in Dawn, August 18th, 2026
