Li-ion cells

The annual demand for lithium-ion batteries in India will reach 116 GWh in FY 2029-30, with electric vehicles (EVs) accounting for 90%.

The production-linked incentives scheme for advance-chemistry battery cell manufacturing received an encouraging response with bids received for 2.6 times the 50 GWh manufacturing capacity to be awarded.

The Mukesh Ambani-led diversified business conglomerate has agreed to invest INR 5 lakh crore (US$67.6 billion) in building 100 GW of renewable energy capacity and green hydrogen eco-system in the State. It will also invest INR 60,000 crore (US$8.1 billion) in setting up manufacturing facilities for new and renewable energy equipment including solar modules, electrolyzers, energy-storage batteries, and fuel cells.

The proposed lithium refinery, set up at a cost of INR 2,200 crore (US$296 million), will produce lithium hydroxide—a key component used in the production of cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries.

The lead-acid battery major, which is into lithium battery assembly in a joint venture with Swiss firm Leclanche, will set up a multi-gigawatt lithium-ion cell manufacturing plant as it strives to become more cost-competitive and better serve its customers.

Nexcharge, a joint venture of India’s largest lead-acid storage battery manufacturer, Exide Industries Limited, and Swiss Lithium-ion battery manufacturer Leclanché, has fully automated assembly lines of li-ion battery packs, modules, and cell testing labs in Gujarat. Ketan Chitnis, vice president-stationary BU, tells pv magazine the government’s PLI Scheme is a major incentive for attracting investment into Li-ion cell manufacturing.

The R&D center under the Department of Science and Technology has indigenously developed lithium battery cells and packs for application in two-wheelers and solar street lamps.

The pre-bid conference for the 50 GWh battery storage tender under the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme saw the participation of around 20 prospective bidders. The conference was organized by India’s ministry of heavy industries to discuss and address the bidders’ queries.

Global bids are invited to set up giga-scale advanced-chemistry battery cell manufacturing units in India under the government’s production-linked incentive scheme. To be eligible for the government subsidy, the bidder would have to commit to setting up a minimum of 5 GWh capacity. Bidding is open until December 31.

The New York-headquartered technology provider will supply over 1.16 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of its lithium-ion battery cells to power India-based Omega Seiki’s lineup of electric vehicles. The cells, assembled into batteries, will be delivered over the next five years.