⚠️ He Bought a Second-Hand EV but Forgot the Battery NOC – What Happened Next Shocked Him! (2025 Case Study)
The EV market in India is booming — not just for new vehicles but for second-hand ones too. Buying a used electric scooter or car sounds like a smart move. But there’s one document most people completely forget: the Battery NOC.
Without it, even a legit purchase can land you in legal trouble. This real-life case from Pune proves why every used EV buyer must double-check battery documentation before making a deal.
🧑🔧 Real Case Study: Nexon EV, RC Transfer Blocked
Name: Rajeev Kulkarni
Location: Pune, Maharashtra
Purchased: 2022 Nexon EV (second-hand)
Purchased From: Individual seller in Mumbai
Rajeev bought a second-hand Tata Nexon EV in excellent condition. The deal was smooth, RC and insurance were valid, and the car had done only 12,000 km. But during the RC transfer process at the Pune RTO, he was asked to submit an additional document — a Battery Ownership Certificate or NOC from Tata Motors.
Since EV batteries are often leased, borrowed, or replaced during warranty, the RTO wanted official confirmation that:
- ✔️ The battery belonged to the vehicle
- ✔️ It wasn’t under any loan, dispute, or third-party leasing
Rajeev had no idea about this requirement. The seller didn’t provide any battery invoice or NOC. When he contacted Tata Motors, they said:
“You need to provide proof of full payment for the battery or the first owner's consent. Without that, we can’t issue a battery NOC.”
📛 What Is a Battery NOC & Why It’s Critical
Electric vehicles have two identities — the vehicle (RC) and the battery (serial-coded asset). Since batteries can be:
- 🔁 Swapped
- 🔄 Financed
- 📃 Under warranty or EMI
the RTO and manufacturer need to ensure the **new owner has the legal right to use the battery**.
🔍 Situations Where Battery NOC Is Needed:
- ✅ Second-hand EV resale
- ✅ RC transfer in another city/state
- ✅ EV loan closure
- ✅ Insurance claim or battery replacement
🚫 What Happened to Rajeev?
- ❌ RC transfer was blocked for 2 months
- ❌ Couldn’t get insurance in his name
- ❌ Couldn’t apply for extended warranty
- ❌ Lost resale value due to incomplete docs
He finally had to go back to Mumbai, get the original owner to visit Tata dealership and request a battery ownership letter. It took nearly 6 weeks to complete the process.
📝 Documents Every Second-Hand EV Buyer Must Collect
- ✔️ Original RC
- ✔️ Insurance (valid)
- ✔️ PUC (not always needed, but safe)
- ✔️ Battery Invoice or Ownership Letter
- ✔️ Battery NOC from manufacturer (if under lease or warranty)
- ✔️ Form 29 & 30 (for RC transfer)
🔧 How to Get Battery NOC (If Missing)
Contact the vehicle's manufacturer (Tata, Ather, Ola, etc.) through their customer care or service center. Provide:
- ✔️ RC copy
- ✔️ Battery serial number
- ✔️ Old owner’s consent or ID
- ✔️ Sale proof
Some manufacturers charge a small fee or verification charge before issuing the NOC.
🧠 Final Words: EVs May Be New, But Rules Still Apply
EV ownership in India is not just about green number plates and zero fuel bills. You must also take care of all paperwork — especially with second-hand purchases.
Like Rajeev, you could find yourself stuck without a battery NOC. So whether it’s a Nexon, Tiago, or Ola scooter — always ask for the battery documents along with the RC.
Because in India, even your battery has an identity!
