Accelerating towards tomorrow: India's electric vehicle revolution
Government initiatives, including the FAME and Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes, have bolstered local manufacturing and competitiveness. PM E Drive underscores India's policy dedication to innovation and sustainability in the EV sector.
The Tata Group have played a pivotal role in mainstreaming EVs in the country. While Tata Motors led the EV revolution by offering customers a choice of EVs to select from even as other OEMs took time, Tata Power laid a robust foundation to bolster the charging infrastructure with its offerings of home, community and public charging. A comprehensive ecosystem of suppliers, vendors and charge point operators has also been fostered to accelerate the transition towards electric mobility with more aggressive and ambitious plans. With nearly all other OEMs announcing their plans to launch and promote EVs at the recently concluded Bharat Mobility Global Expo, it is now established beyond doubt that that EVs are definitely the future.
As India accelerates its transition to electric mobility, key innovations in critical areas are playing a supportive role in shaping the landscape and setting the stage for a sustainable future.
Battery Technology –
Batteries significantly influence EV costs, depending on the vehicle segment. Traditional lithium-ion and lead-acid batteries have their limitations, and this is rapidly emerging alternative battery chemistries show promise. Pune-based KPIT Technologies recently launched its sodium-ion battery technology, and several other companies are in the technology readiness phase. Sodium-ion batteries offer advantages such as lower costs, enhanced safety, and abundant raw materials.
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Phinergy, an Israeli cleantech firm, which collaborated with Tata Motors to develop a prototype of the Tata Tiago EV, is utilizing its proprietary aluminum-air battery while Log9 Materials is close to commercializing their aluminum-air technology systems.
Charging Infrastructure -
Bengaluru-based startup Exponent Energy claims it can charge EVs from 0 to 100% in just 15 minutes while Hopcharge, is revolutionizing convenience with its on-demand, doorstep fast-charging service. Another notable initiative is by GPS Renewables, which has set up an EV charging station in Mumbai powered by biogas.
Sustainability -
The sustainable journey of EVs encompasses eco-friendly manufacturing, efficient operation, and responsible end-of-life disposal and recycling. Many EV manufacturers have adopted green manufacturing practices and circular economy principles in their operations. Further, startups like Attero, Lico Materials, Metastable Materials, and Lohum Cleantech are pioneering technologies to efficiently recycle lithium-ion batteries. These companies focus on recovering valuable materials such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and manganese, thereby bolstering the battery circular economy and contributing to a more sustainable future.
Lightweighting –
Use of advanced lightweight materials is enabling EV manufacturers to either extend vehicle range or minimize size and cost of the battery pack required for a given range. Gurugram-based startup Planet Electric, founded by former ISRO engineers, is making strides in manufacturing four-wheeled cargo EVs. By leveraging materials engineering for lightweighting technologies, they are developing cost-effective solutions that enhance performance while addressing the challenges of battery weight.
Energy Efficiency in Motors -
Electric motors are a vital component of EV powertrains and here significant innovations are underway to reduce dependence on rare earth metals. Axial flux motors show potential for improving efficiency and reducing material dependency. Vecmocon is making strides in this arena, offering a comprehensive range of services—including battery management systems, vehicle intelligence, chargers, and instrument clusters. The company plans to expand its offerings to include motor controllers specifically designed for EVs.
Retrofitting
- Retrofitting—converting older vehicles into electric models—plays a vital role in accelerating the adoption of electric mobility and one notable startup in this space is RACE Energy, which specializes in creating retrofit kits for transforming conventional three-wheelers into EVs. Similarly, ETrio offers electric kits along with retrofitted electric light commercial vehicles (eLCVs). Bengaluru-based E3V Industries is making an impact by producing both EVs and kits designed for the conversion of traditional vehicles to electric. The company emphasizes the use of renewable energy and off-grid power systems to optimize last-mile logistics.
Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) Integration -
This technology enables EVs to not only charge from the grid but also discharge energy back into it, potentially stabilizing the grid and creating additional revenue streams for EV owners. Delhi-based battery technology startup Sheru has developed a bidirectional energy flow platform called NetBat, which facilitates vehicle-to-grid (V2G) interactions, allowing EVs to draw power from the grid while also supplying energy back during peak demand periods, thereby enhancing grid stability and efficiency. Sheru has partnered with BSES Rajdhani, a prominent utility company, to implement this. Startups like Magenta Mobility and VoltUp are exploring the integration of smart grid technologies and may expand into V2G services in the future, further advancing the potential of EVs in the energy ecosystem.
Last Mile Mobility -
India's rapidly growing urban population and escalating air quality index (AQI) crisis make last-mile mobility a critical sector for innovation. In addition to established vehicle manufacturers including Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, several startups, such as Euler Motors, Bounce, Cell Propulsion, BGauss, Baaz Bikes, Amo Mobility, and Altigreen, are providing last-mile transportation solutions through two-wheeler, three-wheeler, and four-wheeler EVs designed for commercial use.
India's competitive advantage in affordability means that many of these solutions are engineered to be cost-effective and accessible, ensuring that electric mobility can reach a broader audience and contribute to a cleaner urban environment.
Battery Swapping -
India's expansive automotive market and rapidly growing EV sector make it an attractive hub for collaborations between domestic and international players in the battery swapping space. Domestic companies like Sun Mobility, Chargeup, and Battery Smart provide customers with the ability to swap their EV batteries at designated swap stations, enhancing convenience and reducing downtime. Lithion Power is also exploring battery swapping solutions, particularly for two-wheelers and LCVs.
India's strengths in frugal engineering and its talented workforce offer a remarkable opportunity to cement its position as a leader in the global EV ecosystem, driving a cleaner and more sustainable future.
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