The Union Government’s recent approval of the Production Linked Incentive Scheme (PLI) – National Advanced Chemical Cell (ACC) Battery Storage Scheme – will encourage more local production of battery cells, said industry experts.
Speaking to indianexpress.com, Dr Akshay Singhal, Founder and CEO of Log9 Materials (a Bengaluru-based advanced battery technology and deep tech startup), said: “Currently a large number of cells and batteries used in the Indian electric sector vehicles are imported from other countries These cells are never designed for Indian operating conditions and as a result we have recently seen… two-wheeled electric vehicles catch fire It is very important to make cells here. It’s not just about replicating the technology from the outside, but developing technology specifically for the Indian conditions, including the temperature and the types of vehicles used here.
Speaking about the ramifications of borrowing technology from outside, he said: “Most battery innovation has happened in the temperate belt. They developed the technologies for the needs that exist in Korea, China, USA, UK and those countries don’t see the kind of temperature profile that we see in India, so mindlessly bringing in the technology…don’t won’t work here. This will lead to security issues and beyond that we will also have cost and performance issues.
Notably, Log9 Materials unveiled India’s first developed cell manufacturing plant in Bengaluru in April. The state-of-the-art cell manufacturing facility built by Log9 is billed as the largest cell production line in Southeast Asia.
Sharing his views on the Karnataka government’s decision to hold electric vehicle exhibitions in Tier II and III cities, Singhal said, “Tier II and III cities are catching up in vehicle usage. electrical. If we look at the electric two-wheeler industry… In Karnataka, Coorg and Chikkamagaluru, people use electric two-wheelers left, right and center. High fuel prices are also driving people to adopt electric vehicles.
He also welcomed the GST Board’s decision to tax electric vehicles with or without batteries at 5%. Previously, electric vehicles were taxed at 5% while lithium-ion batteries were taxed at 18%.
At the Green Vehicle Expo-2022 held from July 1-3, Log9 Materials unveiled a new range of electric vehicles for last mile logistics across different EV platforms – including two-wheelers , three-wheelers and four-wheelers – all of which are InstaCharged by its RapidX batteries.
In the e-2W segment, the start-up introduced the all-new Quanta e-bike manufactured by Gravton Motors, which has the feature of traveling from Kanyakumari to Khardung La successfully. It also boasts of being an all-terrain bike, which is a first in its segment. In the e-3W segment, the company presented Rage+ RapidEV, an existing model currently on the market, which can go from 0 to 100% charge in 35 minutes.
Another e-3W Grevol cargo vehicle – which is India’s first electric three-wheeler with higher charging capacity than 4W electrics – has been unveiled. Log9 in collaboration with eBikeGo launched an electric trike called Velocipedo. In the e-4W segment, in collaboration with Northway Motors, it unveiled an upgraded light utility vehicle (LCV), which is considered the fastest-loading four-wheeled upgraded commercial vehicle.
Singhal said, “The overall adoption of electric vehicles in India today stands at 0.8%; but the country has set targets to reach 30% adoption of EVs in the B2C sector and more than 70% adoption in the B2B segment by 2030. To achieve such ambitious targets, India must accelerating EV adoption through technologies designed for India, and… the push on B2B electrification should be the way forward…”
