India needs innovation in cell chemistry to leapfrog in the battery race

India needs innovation in cell chemistry to leapfrog in the battery race

Subject: Science and technology

Section: Msc

Introduction

• India has made significant progress in electric vehicle (EV) battery research, particularly in the field of cathode chemistry.
• The collaboration between Altmin and the International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials highlights the potential for innovation in this sector.
• The battery research journey, which began with lead-acid batteries, is a continuous process aimed at improving energy density, power density, safety, and cycle life.

Cathode Chemistry and Battery Evolution

• Altmin’s Collaboration:
  • To manufacture cathode active material for lithium-ion batteries (LIB), specifically lithium iron phosphate (LFP).
• Chemistry Trade-offs:
  • Different LIB chemistries offer varying energy densities, power densities, cycle lives, and safety performance.
  • For instance, LFP is safer but has lower energy density compared to lithium nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) chemistry.
• Nickel-Dominant Chemistry:
  • Nickel-dominant battery chemistries are favored for high-performance and long-range vehicles due to their higher energy density. However, they come with thermal risks and toxic materials.

Opportunity for India

• LFP Chemistry in India: 
  • LFP chemistry is preferable for India, given its high ambient temperatures and the advantages of safety and longer battery life.
  • India’s rich reserves of iron and phosphate reduce dependence on imports.
• Sodium-Ion Batteries (SIB): 
  • Sodium-ion batteries are emerging as an alternative to lithium-ion batteries. 
  • Although SIBs currently have lower energy density, they are cost-effective due to abundant sodium resources, reducing supply chain challenges.
  • SIBs use aluminum as current collectors in place of copper.
  • The cathode composition also does not have cobalt, which is difficult to obtain (mined mainly in the Democratic Republic of Congo)
• Solid-State Batteries (SSB): 
  • SSBs are revolutionary because they eliminate liquid electrolytes, reducing weight and enhancing energy density.
  • They are safer and do not leak toxic electrolytes.
• SIB Development: 
  • Start-ups like Indi Energy and Sodion in India have commercialized SIB technology successfully, highlighting its potential.
• Global Battery Evolution: 
  • The global EV industry is rapidly transitioning to newer battery technologies like SIB and SSB. 
  • India has a chance to leapfrog in the battery race by focusing on these innovations.
• Corporate Interest:
  • Indian companies, like Reliance Industries’ acquisition of Faradion, a UK-based SIB specialist, indicate that the private sector is closely monitoring battery R&D breakthroughs.

Government Support

• Government Research Initiatives: 
  • Various government institutions in India, such as Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre and the Department of Science and Technology, possess battery expertise.
  • The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has established pilot plants for battery manufacturing.
• Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) PLI Scheme: 
  • The government has allocated Rs 18,100 crore under the ACC PLI scheme to promote battery manufacturing.
• Lack of Research Funding: 
  • Despite these efforts, there is a gap in government-sponsored research in EV battery technology, particularly for emerging technologies like SIB and SSB.

EV batteries Comparision: