India-Israel companies sign MoU to produce aluminium air batteries to boost domestic manufacturing

New Delhi, July 19 (KNN) The Electric Vehicle sector of India will get a boost with the signing of an agreement between Indian and Israeli companies to produce aluminium air batteries.

This agreement will help Electric vehicles by extending its driving range without the need for charging infrastructure, reduce battery imports.

Aditya Birla Group's metal flagship, Hindalco, has signed an MoU with Phinergy, a leading Israel-based pioneer in metal-air battery technology, and IOC Phinergy Private Limited (IOP) - a joint venture between Phinergy and Indian Oil Corporation, to create aluminium-air batteries for electric vehicles (EVs), a joint press release by the companies said on Monday.

As per the agreement, Phinergy and IOP will join hands with Hindalco in India on R&D and pilot production of aluminium plates for Aluminium-Air batteries, and recycling of aluminium, after usage in these batteries.

In the Aluminium-Air battery, developed by Phinergy, energy is released when aluminium reacts with oxygen in ambient air to produce aluminium hydroxide. 

“Due to its light weight and high energy density, an Aluminium-Air battery significantly increases the driving range of Electric Vehicles. It also enables quick ‘refuelling' and eliminates the need for expensive nationwide charging networks,” the press release said.

Aluminium-Air batteries offer a viable alternative to other battery chemistries and will boost the domestic manufacturing of batteries to meet India's growing demand for energy storage.

The EV market, which would be the primary segment for Aluminium-Air batteries, is projected to achieve cumulative sales of 80 million units by 2030, according to a joint report by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, and NITI Aayog.

The joint effort by both the countries will help India in its journey towards sustainable, affordable and safe energy options for stationary and e-Mobility purposes. It will also provide a boost to the Atmanitbhar Bharat initiative by enhancing energy security.  (KNN Bureau)