The collaboration will make Omega Seiki the first major player in the electric vehicle market to offer advanced chemistry solid-state batteries in its product portfolio
(From right) Uday Narang, Chairman, Dr. Deb Mukherjee, Managing Director, Omega Seiki Mobility, and Kuldeep Gupta, VP – Strategic Partnership, C4V, after the agreement signing
Omega Seiki (P) Ltd., part of the Anglian Omega Group of companies, announced that it will bring advanced chemistry cells to India in association with New York-based C4V which plans to become the first lithium-ion cell maker with solid-state technology in India as a part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ambitious Rs 18,000 crore Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. The Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two companies will also see the manufacturing of solid-state batteries for the first time in India which will find usage in Omega Seiki’s range of electric vehicles.
The solid-state batteries offer high energy density without compromising on affordability. Initially, C4V will be supplying Omega Seiki a bio-mineralised lithium-mixed metal phosphate battery (BM-LMP), free from toxic and hazardous components and also free from nickel and cobalt. It has an energy density of 200 watts per 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 400 watt-hours per kg energy density in India to cater to the electric vehicle and renewable market.
The adoption of these batteries in Omega Seiki electric vehicles would accelerate safer and affordable electric vehicles in the Indian market. With lifecycle assessment certification done by New York State Government’s NYSERDA, the batteries are one of the most ‘green’ in the world right from the extraction of raw materials to manufacturing and recycling. In fact, they have almost 85% less carbon footprint than the ones in the market while having twice the lifecycle of traditional lithium-ion batteries.
“Omega Seiki is all set to revolutionise the electric vehicle market in India with these new C4V batteries. Not only are they environment-friendly but also have higher energy density, allowing our vehicles to go the extra mile. We believe in offering our consumers the best and with solid-state batteries – the latest in battery technology available globally – we hope to make another smart move towards India’s vision of becoming self-reliant.”
Uday Narang, Chairman, Omega Seiki Mobility
“The partnership with C4V is a proud moment for us. We are a complete mobility solution provider for our customers. We believe in bringing top-class technology for our vehicles and we will work with multiple partners in the electric vehicle ecosystem. C4V India is going to be a major player in solid-state batteries globally, not only in India but in other countries as well since we will also export our vehicles soon. Not only are they environment-friendly but also have higher energy density, allowing our vehicles to go the extra mile.”
Dr. Deb Mukherjee, Managing Director, Omega Seiki Mobility
“This is a top-notch technology enhancement for our vehicles and as a technology-in-motion company, we are very pleased to be the first in the market to work with solid-state technology. It gives me immense pleasure to share that C4V is going to be the lead company introducing thermally stable solid-state batteries for the first time in the Indian market. The extensive research and development of the past 10 years is now going to help us pioneer cell manufacturing in the Indian market. India certainly requires best-in-class technology for domestic battery manufacturing and we are very excited and proud to bring this to India. Our batteries are designed to meet emerging market needs and our manufacturing platform is highly compatible for various countries that are yet to develop a cell manufacturing supply chain. We are looking at a modest target of 5 GW in three years from now.”
Shailesh Upreti, Founder, C4V
“We wish to make India completely self-reliant in electric vehicles and renewable energy ecosystem from the perspective of cell and battery manufacturing. In India our industrial cluster approach is going to have complete backward integration or co-location for Li-Ion cells manufacturing. The 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. According to C4V management, the batteries’ manufacturing plant would start supplies from the second half of the current year.
Kuldeep Gupta, Vice President (Strategic Partnership), C4V
The location for manufacturing would be announced soon as the company is in serious discussions with several state governments. The solid-state battery technology uses solid electrolyte, offering more power density and life. This is the 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 gives India an opportunity to take the lead in introducing solid-state batteries in the electric vehicle space ahead of global giants like Toyota. Omega Seiki plans to start testing the solid-state batteries in their vehicles soon and would be the first company in India fitted with these batteries.
