The Indian Electric Vehicle market is expanding thanks to the focused interest in green energy from GOI and state governments. This, in turn, has opened up the space for the manufacturing of electric vehicles and the setting up of EV Battery Companies in India both by domestic and international manufacturers.
The important consideration about the usage of electric vehicle batteries in India is that the batteries manufactured outside in western or colder countries might not be suitable for the Indian climate.
Here the temperatures soar during summer. And we also have a very wet monsoon season. So EV battery companies in India have to consider climatic conditions when designing and testing EV batteries for domestic purposes.
Another factor that is driving the emergence of EV battery companies in India is GOI’s “make in India” push.
The GOI has invested both in terms of policy changes and financial support to drive “make in India” initiatives in several sectors, including the EV and EV battery markets.
As a result, there is increasing awareness of electric vehicles and their benefits among Indian consumers. However, the number one concern for any consumer when investing in EVs is the life and reliability of EV batteries – the driving force of electric vehicles.
In the last few years, tremendous advancements have been made in the field of EV batteries.
EV battery companies in India are continuously working on designing batteries that deliver both performance and durability and are specifically suited for the Indian weather.
If you are interested in investing in an EV for your family, then you will want to know about the different EV battery manufacturers that dominate the market.
Here is a list of the best EV battery companies in India.
Interesting Read – Maintaining The Battery Of An Electric Vehicle
Lithium-ion Batteries for Electric Vehicle
Electric vehicle batteries are the driving components of an electric vehicle. They are responsible for distributing the electrical energy that is necessary to power up the car and they function as a storage system or unit for this same energy.
It is for these reasons and functions, electric vehicle batteries are expected to possess several key characteristics and capabilities such as high voltage and charge storage.
Given the global focus on green energy, electric vehicle batteries are also expected to have zero to low gas emissions.
Another important characteristic of an electric vehicle battery is that it should be recyclable – this is necessary to reduce the build-up of electronic waste which is a serious environmental pollutant. All these characteristics and capabilities currently are served in lithium-ion electric vehicle batteries.
While certain challenges need to be quickly addressed to make lithium-ion batteries more efficient and affordable, the fact remains that, at present, most EV battery companies manufacture lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles.
This brings us to the obvious question – what are lithium-ion batteries?
Most people are familiar with lithium-ion batteries since they are actively used in all kinds of electronic devices such as smartphones and laptops.
In simple terms, lithium-ion batteries have lithium ions in the components of the battery. And it is because of the electrochemical reaction of these lithium ions that electricity is generated which helps in powering the electric vehicle.
So how do lithium-ion batteries work?
Here is an interesting and educative video on “How Lithium-ion Battery Works?”
Top Electric Vehicle Battery Manufacturers in India
Currently, the electric vehicle market in India has several domestic EV battery companies. A number of these EV battery companies have been domestic players for a long time. However, some new companies have also opened up in this sector that is making their mark in the Indian electric vehicle battery market.
Here are the leading EV Battery Companies in India.
Exide Industries is a popular name in the battery manufacturing market. The company is a manufacturer and supplier of electric vehicle batteries.
Headquartered in Kolkata, the company is one of the leading and also among the largest suppliers of acid-lead batteries both in India and in global markets. Now Exide Industries has aligned with many potential battery developers to manufacture affordable and efficient lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles in domestic and international markets.
2. Maruti Suzuki
Maruti Suzuki, a subsidiary of Japanese automotive manufacturer and supplier Suzuki, is a trusted name in the Indian automotive sector. The company is now looking into manufacturing electric vehicles and also focusing on advancing technology for energy storage batteries for electric vehicles in partnership with two other big tech names Toshiba and Denso. Collectively the companies are looking into addressing the different challenges in the manufacturing of efficient electric vehicles.
3. Tata Group
Tata Group is a big name in the Indian automotive sector with a variety of car brands and other heavy-duty vehicles. However, in addition to the automotive sector, Tata has successfully branched out to other sectors including power generation, steel manufacturers, and communications among others. Now the company is looking at providing effective solutions for electric vehicle battery manufacturing in India vis-à-vis their partnership with ISRO. The partnership will help in establishing lithium-ion battery manufacturing plants across the country.
4. Amara Raja Batteries
Amaron, a popular battery brand is manufactured by Amara Raja Batteries. Firmly established as a leading EV battery company in India, Amara Raja Batteries is among the largest manufacturer and suppliers of electric vehicle batteries in India. Like Tata Group, Amara Raja Batteries has also forayed into various sectors in addition to battery manufacturing. And again just like Tata, Amara Raja Batteries has also tied up with ISRO for manufacturing lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles.
5. Wanxiang
Wanxiang Group Corporation, with its headquarters in Hangzhou, China, is an established global brand and is one of the leading EV battery companies in the world. Its participation in multiple energy-based sectors such as solar energy systems, automotive parts, and electro-mobile systems and batteries, has enabled the company to build its brand in the electric vehicle battery sector while also aligning with several automotive giants such as FORD, BMW, BENZ, Hyundai, etc.
Hero MotoCorp, or Hero Honda as it was previously known, is a leading two-wheeler brand in India. Having dominated the two-wheeler sector for decades, Hero MotoCorp is now venturing into the electric vehicle market via strategic investments in the green and clean tech sector. Hero MotoCorp has already set up a new facility in Tamil Nadu for the manufacturing of electric vehicles. In addition, the company is looking keenly at the lithium-ion battery market.
At present, Hero MotoCorp has several patents for manufacturing processes and product designs in the electric vehicle battery sector that are awaiting approval.
7. Lithium Energy Japan (LEJ)
Lithium Energy Japan, an amalgamation of Mitsubishi Motors, Mitsubishi Corporation, and GS Yuasa International Ltd, is again an established name in the manufacturing and supply of large-size lithium-ion batteries.
Currently, Lithium Energy Japan provides electric vehicle batteries and electric vehicle battery components to several manufacturers of electric vehicles in India and global markets.
8. Li-S Energy
A major challenge with lithium-sulfur batteries is the poor cycle life of the cells which meant they had to be replaced often. As a result, successful commercialization of lithium-sulfur batteries was not possible.
This is where Li-S Energy came up with a viable solution for the sustainable functioning of lithium-sulfur batteries. According to Li-S Energy – “embed unique nanomaterials — Boron Nitride Nanotubes (BNNTs), and a new nano-composite we invented called Li‑nanomesh™ — into the cells to enhance their strength, life cycle, and performance.”
Initial testing has proven promising with the company’s lithium-sulfur batteries outperforming traditional lithium-sulfur batteries in critical areas of performance, cycle life, stability, and capacity. If continued tests continue to deliver the expected results, commercial production of lithium-sulfur batteries could very well prove to be a success.
9. Manikaran Power Limited (MPL)
The company is hopeful of making its foray into the electric vehicle sector by setting up a Lithium Refinery in India to manufacture high-quality battery-grade lithium hydroxide. The setting up of a lithium refinery in India will help drive the production and manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles in India. For this reason, Manikaran Power Limited is aiming to become one of the leading EV battery companies in India.
10. Inverted Energy
A leading producer of electric vehicle batteries in India, Inverted Energy is a market leader in the lithium batteries sector. The company is focused on its aim of fueling future mobility and energy storage needs of the world.
11. Trontek
Trontek provides lithium-ion batteries for several electric vehicle models and plug-in hybrid models. The company has especially focused on improving its portfolio of electric vehicle charging stations and ports and also on improving chargers for industrial applications. Now the company is focused on providing efficient built-in solar cell-based battery solutions.
In addition to India, Trontek also provides battery solutions to global markets including in the US and certain European markets which puts it firmly on the list of leading EV battery companies for domestic and international markets.
12. Future Hi-tech Batteries
Future Hi-Tech is again a major EV battery company and a leading provider of lithium-ion batteries in India. The company focused on providing a wide range of customized solutions for lithium-ion cells, lithium batteries, and for battery packs for electric vehicles such as two-wheeler electric vehicles. Future Hi-Tech Batteries also provides battery packs for solar energy systems and medical equipment among other applications.
Commonly Asked Questions about Electric Vehicle Batteries in India
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about electric batteries.
Question – Who is the biggest manufacturer of electric vehicle batteries in India?
Answer – Exide Industry is among the biggest EV battery companies in India.
Question – What is the most commonly used electric vehicle battery?
Answer – The most commonly used electric vehicle battery is the Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery. For this reason, most EV battery companies focus on the manufacture of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles.
In addition to powering electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries are used in several electronic devices including smartphones and laptops. Lithium-ion batteries are popular because they possess high energy density compared to other rechargeable batteries.
Question – How long does a lithium-ion EV battery last?
Answer – The lifecycle of a lithium-ion EV battery is what makes it an ideal solution for electric vehicles.
On average, lithium-ion EV batteries can last for 10-20 years with proper usage and with proper care.
Certain precautions should be observed such as ensuring the batteries do not experience extreme charging cycles – it is advisable to maintain the battery’s state of charge at 20-80%.
Question – Are lithium-ion batteries sustainable?
Answer – The best way to answer this question is by looking at the components that go into the lithium-ion battery. The chemical components in a lithium-ion battery are found in the cathode. These include lithium, manganese, nickel, and cobalt. While lithium and manganese are not immediately scarce, the mining of these metals requires large amounts of energy and water. The greater challenge comes with nickel and cobalt which cobalt is considered highly toxic. And since two-thirds of the world’s supply of these metals come from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, there can be supply challenges in the future.
Alternatives to the usage or at least the quantity of these metals in lithium-ion batteries are necessary to ensure greater sustainability in the coming years. This is an important area of focus for most EV battery companies across the globe.
Question – Why are electric vehicle batteries costly?
Answer – There are several reasons for this. Consider the following;
Most battery packs are big.
The electric vehicle battery tech is still developing and is relatively young – this sector is witnessing continuous advancements and improvements.
Electric vehicle batteries don’t emit emissions. However, the production of lithium-ion battery packs and electric vehicles is still dependent on industries that use fossil fuels.
For electric vehicles and electric vehicle batteries to become affordable options for the general public, advancements in each of these areas are necessary. Both governments and the public and private sectors will have to come up with more viable and affordable solutions that can drive the production of green tech and also its adoption.
Many EV battery companies and startups are working on designing solutions that can reduce the cost of electric vehicle batteries.
Interesting Read – Why Electric Cars Are Expensive In India? – Everything You Need To Know
Question – Can EV batteries be recycled?
Answer – Since the most commonly used EV battery type is the lithium-ion battery, the answer is framed for lithium-ion batteries. So can lithium-ion batteries be recycled? The short answer is yes.
However here is what you should know – the process of recycling lithium-ion batteries involves destroying the batteries for the recovery of the valuable metals and other elements used in the battery. These metals can then be used in new batteries or for other purposes.
Remember, the limited availability of these metals from extraction and the drop in existing supply chains can prove to be a challenge in the coming years as the first few generations of electric vehicles near their end of life.
Question – Should I charge my electric car every night?
Answer – There is no “yes or no” answer to this question—few things such as daily usage and personal driving habits matter. You should also take into account the charging directions provided by the manufacturer of your electric vehicle.
In Conclusion
In this article, we have covered the leading EV battery companies in India. We have also answered some of the most commonly asked questions about electric vehicle batteries.
The market for electric vehicles in India is still in its infancy stage. New models and tech advancements in this sector are continuously happening. However, there is so much more ground that needs to be covered.
There is no doubt that electric vehicles are the future of mobility. And the driving force of an electric vehicle is its battery. Currently, lithium-ion batteries are the most favored battery type for electric vehicles. While these batteries meet several key capabilities, new tech advancements are necessary if we want to truly embrace sustainable green tech in the coming years.
