Govt Moves to Block BAT-BMS App Amid E-Rickshaw Safety and Cybersecurity Concerns

New Delhi- The Central government has directed Google and Apple to remove the Chinese BAT-BMS application from their respective app stores after concerns surfaced that it could be misused to remotely interfere with the functioning of e-rickshaw batteries, sources said on Friday.

The move follows the circulation of several viral social media videos that allegedly show people using the BAT-BMS app to connect to nearby e-rickshaws through Bluetooth and switch off their battery systems while the vehicles are moving. The incidents have sparked serious concerns over passenger safety and the security of battery management systems (BMS) used in affordable electric vehicles.

According to sources, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) took note of the issue after the videos gained widespread attention and has begun steps to restrict public access to the application.

The government is also reviewing the wider cybersecurity risks associated with such vulnerabilities and exploring additional safeguards to improve the security of battery management systems used in electric vehicles.

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Developed by Shenzhen Grenergy Technology, the BAT-BMS app is designed to work with Bluetooth-enabled lithium-ion batteries. It allows users to monitor battery information such as voltage, current, temperature, charging cycles, and overall battery health, while also providing controls for battery discharge functions.

However, many e-rickshaws and electric two-wheelers in India use battery management systems that either lack password protection or continue to operate with factory-default login credentials. As a result, anyone within the Bluetooth range of about 10 to 15 metres may be able to pair with the battery without the owner's knowledge and, in some cases, remotely disconnect its power supply.

Meanwhile, Delhi Transport Minister Pankaj Singh said that although the department has not received any formal written complaint regarding the matter, concerns raised by members of the public have been brought to his attention.

He added that the Transport Department has been instructed to verify the authenticity of the BAT-BMS application and examine the claims related to its alleged misuse, according to reports.

With inputs from IANS