Ola Electric, backed by SoftBank Group, is making strides in solid-state battery technology, aiming to power its electric scooters with proprietary cells. Chairman Bhavish Aggarwal announced the firm’s focus on building solid-state batteries at its ‘gigafactory’ in Southern Tamil Nadu, part of India’s battery manufacturing incentive scheme.
Aggarwal highlighted the potential of solid-state batteries for enhanced safety, longer lifespan, and quicker charging compared to conventional lithium-ion batteries. Despite challenges in raw material availability and manufacturing complexities, Ola plans to localize cell production to reduce upfront costs, a critical factor for electric vehicle (EV) affordability.
Currently sourcing cells from LG Energy Solution and Contemporary Amperex Technology, Ola aims to shift to in-house production to leverage efficiencies and scale. The company has initiated manufacturing of the more efficient 4680 battery cells, crucial for EV performance improvements, and has received essential domestic certifications.
With an initial investment of $100 million, Ola’s gigafactory will initially produce about 1.5 gigawatt hours (GWh) of cells annually. This move underscores Ola Electric’s commitment to advancing EV technology in India, aligning with global trends towards sustainable transportation solutions.
