diff --git a/libraries/AP_BattMonitor/AP_BattMonitor.cpp b/libraries/AP_BattMonitor/AP_BattMonitor.cpp
index 1e501af361..390542dbdf 100644
--- a/libraries/AP_BattMonitor/AP_BattMonitor.cpp
+++ b/libraries/AP_BattMonitor/AP_BattMonitor.cpp
@@ -384,6 +384,15 @@ bool AP_BattMonitor::overpower_detected(uint8_t instance) const
 #endif
 }
 
+bool AP_BattMonitor::has_cell_voltages(const uint8_t instance) const
+{
+    if (instance < _num_instances && drivers[instance] != nullptr) {
+        return drivers[instance]->has_cell_voltages();
+    }
+
+    return false;
+}
+
 // return the current cell voltages, returns the first monitor instances cells if the instance is out of range
 const AP_BattMonitor::cells & AP_BattMonitor::get_cell_voltages(const uint8_t instance) const
 {
diff --git a/libraries/AP_BattMonitor/AP_BattMonitor.h b/libraries/AP_BattMonitor/AP_BattMonitor.h
index 6c16361be2..e3f15aca5f 100644
--- a/libraries/AP_BattMonitor/AP_BattMonitor.h
+++ b/libraries/AP_BattMonitor/AP_BattMonitor.h
@@ -144,7 +144,9 @@ public:
     bool overpower_detected(uint8_t instance) const;
 
     // cell voltages
-    const cells & get_cell_voltages() { return get_cell_voltages(AP_BATT_PRIMARY_INSTANCE); };
+    bool has_cell_voltages() { return has_cell_voltages(AP_BATT_PRIMARY_INSTANCE); }
+    bool has_cell_voltages(const uint8_t instance) const;
+    const cells & get_cell_voltages() const { return get_cell_voltages(AP_BATT_PRIMARY_INSTANCE); }
     const cells & get_cell_voltages(const uint8_t instance) const;
 
     // temperature
diff --git a/libraries/AP_BattMonitor/AP_BattMonitor_Backend.h b/libraries/AP_BattMonitor/AP_BattMonitor_Backend.h
index 25188f064a..b205f37651 100644
--- a/libraries/AP_BattMonitor/AP_BattMonitor_Backend.h
+++ b/libraries/AP_BattMonitor/AP_BattMonitor_Backend.h
@@ -37,6 +37,9 @@ public:
     /// returns true if battery monitor instance provides current info
     virtual bool has_current() const = 0;
 
+    // returns true if battery monitor provides individual cell voltages
+    virtual bool has_cell_voltages() const { return false; }
+
     /// capacity_remaining_pct - returns the % battery capacity remaining (0 ~ 100)
     uint8_t capacity_remaining_pct() const;
 
diff --git a/libraries/AP_BattMonitor/AP_BattMonitor_SMBus.h b/libraries/AP_BattMonitor/AP_BattMonitor_SMBus.h
index 0c4f0f86bf..de581365cc 100644
--- a/libraries/AP_BattMonitor/AP_BattMonitor_SMBus.h
+++ b/libraries/AP_BattMonitor/AP_BattMonitor_SMBus.h
@@ -23,8 +23,9 @@ public:
     // virtual destructor to reduce compiler warnings
     virtual ~AP_BattMonitor_SMBus() {}
 
-    // all smart batteries provide current info
+    // all smart batteries provide current and individual cell voltages
     bool has_current() const override { return true; }
+    bool has_cell_voltages() const override { return true; }
 
 protected: