A method and system for managing a plurality of batteries and useable by way of example with a partially or completely electrically powered vehicle (EV) includes a plurality of monitor modules each coupled to at least one of the plurality of batteries and configured to monitor the voltage and temperature thereof, a master controller, and a non-conductive fiber optic network coupling the plurality of monitor modules to one another and to the master controller. The master controller commands the transmission of battery voltage and temperature information from the plurality of monitor modules over the network, receives battery voltage and temperature information from the monitor modules over the network, and perform calculations based on the received information to determine if any of the plurality of batteries require balancing measures, and based thereon, commands the corresponding monitor modules to implement balancing measures over the network.