By Dominick Rodrigues
New Delhi, Apr 21: Omega Seiki Pvt. Ltd. — part of Anglian Omega Group of companies – has tied up with New York-based company C4V to bring advanced chemistry cells to India while also becoming the first lithium-ion cell maker with solid state technology in India as a part of PM Modi’s ambitious Rs 18,000 crore PLI scheme.
The two companies signed a +Memorandum of Understanding+ here recently for manufacturing solid-state batteries — first time in India — which will be used in Omega Seiki’s range of electric vehicles. The solid-state batteries offer high energy density without compromising on affordability.
“Omega Seiki is all set to revolutionise the electric vehicle market in India with these new C4V batteries as they are not only environment-friendly, but having higher energy density that allows vehicles to go the extra mile,” Uday Narang, Chairman, Omega Seiki Mobility said, while assuring the best in offering consumers the best and latest in battery technology available globally for solid state batteries.
Describing the partnership with C4V as a proud moment for OSM, Dr. Deb Mukherji, Managing Director, Omega Seiki Mobility, said OSM is a complete mobility solution provider bringing top-class technology into its vehicles and working with multiple partners in the EV ecosystem. “C4V India is going to be a major player in solid-state batteries globally, not only for India as we will export our vehicles soon. We have top-notch technology enhancement for our vehicles and as Technology in Motion company, we are very pleased to be the first in the market to work with the solid-state technology,” he said.
Highlighting CV4’s extensive R&D and last 10 years of development activity to pioneer cell manufacturing in the India market, .Shailesh Upreti, Founder of C4V, said “India certainly requires best in class technology for domestic battery manufacturing and our batteries are custom designed to meet emerging market needs. Our manufacturing platform is highly compatible to countries yet to develop cell manufacturing supply chain and we are looking at a modest speed scale up to target of 5GW in 3 years from now.”
Kuldeep Gupta, VP, Strategic partnership C4V said “We wish to make India completely Atmanirbhar in electric vehicles and renewable energy eco system from cell and battery manufacturing. In India our industrial cluster approach will witness a complete backward integration and/or co-location for li-ion cells manufacture. “This MoU will pave the way to introduce state-of-the-art solid-state batteries in India as a part of the government’s plan to manufacture Li-Ion batteries in India,” he added.
Initially, C4V will be supplying OSM a Bio-mineralized lithium mixed metal phosphate battery (BM-LMP), free from toxic and hazardous components and also Nickel and Cobalt-free. It has an energy density of 200 watts/kg, which is 20% more than the lithium ferrous phosphate batteries available in the market. Besides, these are more affordable and safer than traditional batteries. Eventually, C4V plans to produce Solid State batteries with 400Wh/kg energy density in India to cater to the EV and Renewable market. Adoption of these batteries in OSM electric vehicles is expected to accelerate safer and affordable EVs in the Indian market.
With life cycle assessment certification done by New York State Government’s NYSERDA, the batteries are one of the +greenest+ in the world right from the extraction of raw materials to manufacturing and recycling. In fact, it has almost 85% less carbon footprint than the ones in the market, while having twice the life cycle of traditional lithium-ion batteries.
C4V stated that the batteries manufacturing plant would start supplies from second half of current year. The location for manufacturing would be announced soon following the company’s discussions with several state Governments. The solid-state battery technology uses solid electrolyte, offering more power density and life. This is latest in the Li-Ion battery technology and several OEMs like Toyota announced recently they would be launching this in their cars around 2025. This highlights India taking the lead in introducing solid state batteries in the EV space ahead of global giants like Toyota. Omega plans to start testing the solid-state batteries in their vehicles soon and be the first company in India fitted with these batteries, a release stated.
