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In a strategic move to accelerate electric vehicle (EV) adoption in India, Matel Motion & Energy Solutions has announced a partnership with Honda Power Pack Energy India (HEID) to advance swappable battery technology. The collaboration aims to address two key barriers to EV expansion: range limitations and prolonged charging times.
Under this partnership, Matel's electric powertrain systems will be integrated with Honda’s swappable battery technology, offering a seamless solution for EV manufacturers and operators. Industry experts highlight that battery swapping is particularly beneficial for commercial EV fleets, where minimising downtime is critical to operational efficiency and profitability. By enabling users to exchange depleted batteries for fully charged ones at designated swapping stations, the initiative significantly reduces waiting periods compared to traditional charging methods.
Tomohide Haraguchi, Vice President of Honda Power Pack Energy India, emphasised the impact of the collaboration, stating, "We are pleased to partner with Matel Motion to accelerate EV penetration in India. Our battery-swapping solution is particularly advantageous for B2B customers with high daily usage. While increasing battery capacity or adopting quick-charging technologies often leads to higher costs and long-term battery degradation, our approach ensures reliability and cost efficiency."
Honda, leveraging its global expertise in lithium-ion battery technology, currently operates a battery-swapping network in Bangalore, with expansion plans targeting Delhi and Mumbai.
The agreement will see Matel adapting its powertrain solutions to be fully compatible with Honda’s swappable battery ecosystem. Notably, for EV manufacturers already using Matel's systems with fixed batteries, transitioning to the new swappable model will require minimal modifications, preserving the underlying powertrain technology.
Netaji Patro, Co-founder & Director of Business Development & Partnerships at Matel, explained the initiative as a pivotal step in India's EV evolution: "We are delighted to collaborate with HEID, a company with deep expertise in battery technology. This partnership will significantly enhance EV adoption by offering a practical and cost-effective solution for manufacturers and users alike."
Matel Motion & Energy Solutions, a homegrown technology company, specialises in advanced electric powertrains, including motors, controllers, and geartrains. Serving a wide range of applications from two-wheelers to buses and industrial vehicles, Matel’s focus on energy efficiency and indigenous R&D aligns with India’s push for domestic EV manufacturing.
With this partnership, India’s EV ecosystem moves a step closer to overcoming key infrastructural challenges, paving the way for wider adoption and operational efficiency in the rapidly growing electric mobility sector.
