Government Orders Removal of Controversial BAT-BMS App from App Stores
Concerns Over E-Rickshaw Safety Prompt Action
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New Delhi, July 3: The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has instructed both Google Play Store and Apple App Store to eliminate the Chinese BAT-BMS mobile application due to worries about its potential misuse for remotely disabling e-rickshaws, as reported on Friday.
This action follows the emergence of videos on social media that allegedly depict users employing the BAT-BMS app to connect to nearby e-rickshaws via Bluetooth, enabling them to turn off the battery systems while the vehicles are in operation.
Such incidents have sparked serious concerns regarding passenger safety and the integrity of battery management systems (BMS) utilized in affordable electric vehicles.
In response to the viral videos, the ministry has taken steps to limit public access to the application.
Additionally, the government is investigating the wider cybersecurity risks associated with these vulnerabilities and is considering implementing further protections for connected battery systems in electric vehicles.
The BAT-BMS app, created by Shenzhen Grenergy Technology, serves as a companion tool for Bluetooth-enabled lithium-ion batteries.
It allows battery owners to monitor various parameters, including voltage, current, temperature, charging cycles, and overall battery health, while also providing control over battery discharge functions.
Numerous e-rickshaws and electric two-wheelers in India utilize battery management systems that are shipped without password protection or continue to function with factory-default settings.
This lack of security enables anyone within Bluetooth range, typically 10 to 15 meters, to connect to the battery without the owner's consent and, in some cases, remotely cut off power.
Furthermore, Delhi Transport Minister Pankaj Singh has mentioned that although no formal complaints have been lodged with the department, the issue has been raised by members of the public.
He stated that the Transport Department has been tasked with verifying the legitimacy of the BAT-BMS application and investigating the claims regarding its functionality.