Reliance Unveils Multipurpose, Swappable Batteries For EVs

Giving a big push to clean energy, Reliance Industries has unveiled the swappable and multipurpose battery storage technology for electric vehicles at a renewable energy exhibition. These batteries can also be used to power home appliances through an inverter.

According to the available information, while it is not clear when the company planned to rolling out these products in the market, these batteries can be swapped at Reliance’s battery stations or re-charged at home using rooftop solar panels.

The company aims to cut dependence on its mainstay oil-to-chemical business and be net zero carbon by 2035 and developing batteries and storage solutions are part of its green push towards clean energy projects.

The company had acquired two battery companies for about USD 200 million in 2021 and 2022 of one is UK-based Faradion that makes sodium-ion batteries, and second is Lithium Werks, that produces lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries.

A company presentation at the event showed it is also working on customisable batteries for business and individual usage, intelligent swap stations and integrated charging networks. Reliance doesn't plan to get in to EV manufacturing but will partner with EV makers, the presentation showed.

Reliance won an incentive last year to set up a 5-gigawatt hours (GWh) battery manufacturing facility under the government’s USD 2.4 billion programme that aims to boost local battery cell production. The factory will be set up by 2026 and will make batteries and containerised energy storage solutions.

Clean auto technology is central to the country’s strategy of cutting pollution in major cities and reaching its broader climate goals. Electric vehicles currently make up a fraction of total sales in the country, mainly due to their high price as the batteries are imported, and a lack of charging infrastructure. The government is trying to encourage swappable batteries to bring down costs and promote wider adoption of EVs.

Current Status Of Batteries Manufacturing In India

Lithium-ion batteries are the most expensive component of an electric vehilce, constitutint around 40 to 50 per cent of the total cost of the vehicle. Now, when the electric vehicles demand has increased in the country, it has given a boost to Li-Ion battery demand. Currently, the lithium-ion cells are being imported from China and Hong Kong which later get assembled here in India.

However, many players in India have teamed up to start their Li-ion battery manufacturing units for electric vehicles.

Munoth Industries Limited (MIL)

A Chennai-based Munoth Group has set up India’s maiden lithium cell manufacturing unit which will be completed in three phases at a total investment of INR 799 crores on a sprawling 30-acre campus at Electronic Manufacturing cluster 2 (EMC 2) located adjacent to the Tirupati Airport.

The company has also joined hands with China-based battery manufacturer Tianjin Lishen Battery Joint-Stock Co Ltd, which is co-owned by Government and private investors. MIL has also tied up for technical advice with Council for scientific & Industrial research (CSIR), a Government of India undertaking.

Exide Industries

Exide Industries has recently announced the start of the construction of a multi-gigawatt hour lithium-ion cell manufacturing facility in Bengaluru. The company has also joined hands with SVOLT Energy Technology, China to use necessary technology for manufacturing lithium-ion cell in India.

TDS Lithium-ion Battery Gujarat 

TDSG is the Lithium-ion Battery manufacturing plant in Gujarat which is being set up jointly between TOSHIBA Corporation, DENSO Corporation and Suzuki Motor Corporation to manufacture and supply Lithium-ion battery to Maruti Suzuki and Suzuki Motor Gujarat. The manufacturing operation will be derived by Suzuki's expertise with contribution of TOSHIBA's cell technology and DENSO's module technology. USD 180 million has been invested between all three Japanese ventures for the lithium-ion battery manufacturing plant slated to be ready by 2020.