Industry body seeks PLI expansion, cut in GST on batteries, charging infra

Industry body India Energy Storage (IESA) has demanded that the government reduce the goods and services tax (GST) on batteries and electric vehicles charging infrastructure services as well battery swapping.

Ahead of the India Energy Storage Week 2024 (IESW) in New Delhi from July 1-5, 2024, the IESA also suggested expansion of production-linked incentive (PLI) schemes for battery components and battery raw materials processing industry, in a wishlist submitted to the government, a statement said.

"Lithium ion batteries current GST rate is 18 per cent and other batteries is 28 per cent. We want all batteries to come under the 18 per cent GST bracket. Charging infra services and battery swapping services should be reduced to 5 or 18 per cent from the existing 28 per cent," IESA President Rahul Walawalkar said in the statement.

He lauded the government for the initiatives like advanced chemistry cell battery (ACC-PLI), Auto-PLI, Auto Components PLI, etc.

He suggested further expansi