Amara Raja Energy and Mobility Ltd is planning to boost its lithium-ion cell manufacturing capacity at its upcoming Gigafactory to over 25 GWh annually. This is a significant increase from the previously announced 16 GWh. Niranjan C., Chief Operating Officer of Amara Raja Batteries, mentioned the recalibration aims to enhance global competitiveness.
The Hyderabad-based company is investing Rs 9,500 crore in a Gigafactory in Telangana. Initially, the plan was to achieve 16 GWh for cells and 5 GWh for battery packs over the next decade. The first phase, with a capacity of 2 GWh, is expected to be ready by the end of the next financial year.
In India, large-scale Gigafactories (over 20 GWh) are seen as vital for global competitiveness. Currently, advanced battery manufacturing is still developing in the country, which aims to reach 150 GWh capacity by the end of this decade. Other companies like Ola Electric, Exide Industries, Reliance Industries, and GODI India are also setting up Gigafactories.
Amara Raja has partnered with Gotion High-Tech’s subsidiary Gotion-InoBat-Batteries (GIB) EnergyX Slovakia for technology to manufacture lithium-ion cells. They are looking at an initial LFP cell manufacturing capacity of 4-6 GWh, though the timeline is not specified. They have also developed an NMC-based 2170 cylindrical cell with another Chinese company, starting with NMC cells for two-wheelers.
Exide Industries, Amara Raja’s major competitor, is building a 12 GWh Gigafactory in Bengaluru, expected to complete its first 6 GWh phase by 2025. Exide has partnered with SVOLT Energy Technology from China.
Amara Raja is one of seven bidders for the government’s production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for 10 GWh Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) Manufacturing.