By TradeIndia Team in Manufacturers — 25 Sep 2022

Top 5 Battery Cell Manufacturers & Suppliers In India

It is interesting to see how India's Leading-Battery cell Manufacturers respond to the needs as well as whatever their EV battery goals are given the shifting global landscape of battery consumption technology. The advent of the EV sector as an alternative to traditional ICE has led to an increase in the stored-energy requirements globally. As a result, there is a growing need for improved batteries. It should be noted that several battery types have been used throughout time to provide an automobile with the power it needs. Eventually, lead-acid batteries took over. Currently, rechargeable batteries pose a threat to them, particularly in the manoeuvrability and steadily expanding stationary storage segments.

Li-ion technology surpasses prior technologies

In various aspects, Li-ion technology surpasses prior technologies. For instance, it could take over 10 hours to fully charge a lead-acid battery. On the other hand, based on their size, lithium-ion batteries may charge in as few as some mins or up to 3 hours. Lithium-ion chemistry can tolerate a greater rate of power, recharging lead-acid cells more quickly. Li-Ion is also making headway thanks to advancements in total charge cycles or battery life. Beyond electric vehicles or mobility, Li-ion batteries are also being used in power grids, telecom towers, and mobile phones, among other things. According to some projections, 60 GWh of Li-ion batteries would be required by 2025 and double that amount by 2030.

The Indian government is making efforts to expand the EV industry in India, following the worldwide trend of soaring Li-ion battery usage. The policies encourage the purchase of electric vehicles and support the Make-In-India programme. Leading firms from both inside and outside have submitted bids for a PLI scheme that is already running for improved battery cell chemistry for battery manufacture. As of now, Japan and China are the only nations from which Indian automakers import battery cells.

What is happening to India's top legacy battery manufacturers, then? How are they dealing with the idea change? Exist any plans for EV batteries? Here is an overview of the 5 major battery manufacturers in India, along with any EV battery ambitions they may have. Remember that legacy firms have a unique issue in this situation because, in addition to differing chemistries, the production methods for Lithium-Ion manufacture are also quite dissimilar, giving these players little benefits in terms of manufacturing.

1:- Luminous Power Technologies Private Limited

The headquarters of this battery cell manufacturer is in New Delhi. In 2019–20, they generated a profit of about Rupees 3,500 crore. Approximately 85% of this came from the power storage sector (that included inverters, batteries, and solar), with the remaining percentage coming from its household electrical sector and export markets.

The company declared its goal to reach Rupees 6,000 crore in revenue by FY25 the year before. The business is a division of Schneider Electric, a French engineering firm. It intends to invest roughly Rs 500 crore over the succeeding 3 years to increase manufacturing capability, improve logistics, and strengthen marketing.

Luminous operated seven facilities as of January 2021, with a combined operating limit of 30 lakh cells. Approximately 50 lakh generators and fans are not included in this. Li-ON, a new product line from Luminous Power Technologies that combines inverters plus battery cells, was recently announced for release in 2022. The corporation said that this also handled the urgent need to cut CO2 emissions to minimise the carbon footprint.

2:- Exide Industries Limited

The top producer of automobile and industry lead-acid cells in India is this battery cell manufacturer, founded in 1947. The main battery manufacturer in Kolkata has revenues of Rs 15,258 Cr as of 2021, growing sales by 15.81% year on average.

Exide also has a worldwide presence. The largest selection of lead-acid battery packs is offered by Exide. It has battery capacities ranging from 2.5Ah to 20,600Ah. In addition to India, the firm also operates a manufacturing facility in Sri Lanka. Additionally, it has distribution businesses of its various types of battery cells in 46 nations across 5 continents. The business does well in terms of environmentally friendly procedures. Exide asserts that after usage, 99 per cent of the lead generated in its plants is recycled.

Additionally, it is entering the lithium-ion manufacturing sector via its subsidiary, Nexcharge, a joint venture with the Swiss business Leclanché SA. Exide has upped its investment in Nexcharge and began manufacturing lithium-ion batteries to meet anticipated future demand. Having commercial ventures already underway for important lines, the company now has a capacity of over 1.5 GWh. Already, several customers from a variety of industries are receiving battery packs and modules.

They make various types of batteries including but not limited to lithium-battery cells, laptop battery cells, etc. Exide has made extensive use of international partnerships to acquire and advance technologies. It has also inked a contract for a lithium-ion facility with SVOLT of China. This gives Exide an unrestricted right and licences to utilise, use, and market the technology and know-how required by SVOLT for the production of lithium-ion cells in India.

3:- Amara Raja Batteries Ltd

Inside the Indian battery storage market, ARBL is the second-largest producer of lead-acid cells for both commercial and automobile uses. Telangana, a state in southern India, serves as its capital. Since around June 2021, it had a total turnover of Rs 6,825 Cr, with a three-year average sales growth rate of 13.73 %.

The business sells different types of battery cells under the name "Amaron". Bajaj Auto Ltd, Tata Motors, Royal Enfield, Honda Motorcycles & Scooters India Private Ltd, Ashok Leyland, Maruti Suzuki, Mahindra & Mahindra, Hyundai, Honda, and Ford India are just a few of the companies to whom ARBL provides automotive batteries via OE partnerships. Additionally, it is a top producer of domestic UPS/Inverter cells underneath the PowerZoneTM branding.

The goal of ARBL is to dominate the lithium-ion battery industry. After winning a proposal from ISRO for a knowledge transfer, Telangana battery manufacturer recently spent over Rupees 200 million at its Tirupati factory to start lithium-ion battery manufacturing. ISRO would thereafter assist the firm in establishing a lithium-ion facility and in providing personnel training. In addition to this, their battery cell prices are affordable too.

While maximising chances within the lead acid market, which is its strength, they have simultaneously been participating in battery companies in the lithium market and beyond. In addition to a €10 million equity financing in a Norwegian startup InoBat Auto specialising in data analysis and progress in the area of battery-powered electric automobiles and manufacturing of lithium-ion battery cells and also tailor-made and traditional cells, it has already made an investment of $5 million in Bengaluru-based developer Log9 Materials for an 11% stake in the outcome.

4:- Okaya Power

This company, a member of the Microtek group, has moved fast to forge a significant foothold in certain markets, such as tubular cells and inverter cells. The NCT-based company has operations in more than 50 nations, and it is the global leader in 17 product categories. With a turnover of more than 7 billion Rupees, Okaya Power Group is among the biggest and fastest-growing businesses in the sector. It's noteworthy that the business asserts exclusivity in the production of lithium, tubular, and automotive cells which are perfect for solar, and inverter uses.

Lately, it's been seen that the company is actively pursuing opportunities in the lithium-ion market as well, providing both three-wheelers and other classifications, along with a two-wheeler belonging to its own company. The business has also invested heavily in charging stations. It installed more than 800 Electric vehicle charging stations around the nation as of December 2021. However, Okaya has yet to reveal its strategy about ambitions at a GWh plus size.

5:- HBL Power Systems Limited

HBL is one of India's top battery manufacturers, specialising in engineered goods and services. Finding technological holes that the firm could solve using its methods was its early business approach. The business eventually succeeded in creating aeroplane batteries. It furthermore led to HBL providing the broadest selection of specialist batteries in the industry.

Today, Lead-Acid Batteries, Nickel-Cadmium Batteries, and Specialized Defense Batteries are designed and produced by HBL. HBL has also built a foothold in the UK, the US, as well as other European nations. Their battery cell price isn’t too high and can be bought by most.

There isn't yet a significant EV battery plan for the business. Uncertainties in recent years have hurt the company's revenues. The company made Rupees 1,188 crore in sales. Interestingly, its three-year sales growth average shrank by 0.81%.

Battery cell prices in India

Battery Cell	Approx Bulk Price
3.7v 75ah Lithium Ev Battery Cell Rechargeable Polymer Cell For Leaf Electrical Car Pouch Cell	9.00 - 20.00 USD ($)
As Per Industry Standards Storage Battery Cell	2000-20000 INR
Prismatic Cell	3200 INR
Bis Li Ion Battery Cell 18650 3.7v 2600mah 3c Nominal Voltage: 3.7	1.25 - 1.50 USD ($)
Cellcronic Lifepo4 Battery	15000 INR
3.2v 6000 Mah Lipo4 Battery Ev Grade Cell	192 INR

Conclusion

In the past, batteries were used in a variety of products, including computers, mobile phones, and toys. Inverter batteries and electric automobiles both utilise it for energy storage. Lithium batteries are used in a laptop battery cells, house emergency lights, lighting systems, and streetlights. Such streetlights turn on and off by themselves. In systems that measure the level of water in farms with agriculture production, battery packs are also utilised.