Why Indian EV customers should switch to LFP batteries over NMC

Okaya EV is a frontrunner in India's electric mobility space, offering a wide array of solutions such as electric vehicles, EV charging, and battery swapping options. The brand is dedicated to providing substantial value to its customers by utilizing Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries in its electric vehicles (EVs). Dr Anshul Gupta, Managing Director of Okaya Electric Vehicles, in an exclusive interview with Bizz Buzz, shares his insights on the latest trends in EV battery technology, the importance of safety and durability in the southern Indian market, and Okaya EV's future plans for the region

Can you please tell us a little bit about Okaya EV?

A frontrunner in India’s electric mobility space, Okaya Electric Vehicles (Okaya EV) offers a wide array of solutions such as electric vehicles, EV charging, and battery swapping options.

The brand is dedicated to providing substantial value to its customers by utilizing Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries in its electric vehicles (EVs). With nearly two decades of experience in battery technology, safety is a top priority for the company. The company emphasize the use of naturally safe battery chemistry and educate consumers about the benefits of LFP technology, particularly well-suited for the climate in India. Regardless of the manufacturer, Okaya EV believes that LFP is the best technology due to its significant reduction in the risk of thermal runaway, enhancing the overall safety of their EVs.

LFP batteries are known for their safety features, being less prone to thermal runaway and overheating, which provides peace of mind to EV owners. Additionally, LFP batteries offer superior charge-discharge efficiency, leading to quicker charging times and better energy utilization. This, in turn, reduces charging costs for customers and enhances the economic appeal of Okaya EVs. In conclusion, the brand's integration of LFP batteries into their electric vehicles ensures enhanced safety, longer lifespan, reduced operational costs, quicker charging times, and a more eco-friendly footprint. These attributes collectively create significant value for their customers.

How to determine the right battery type?

To determine the relevant battery type for the southern regions of India, factors such as safety, durability, performance, and sustainability are considered. Safety is a critical factor for customers, including both chemical and thermal stability. LFP batteries are highlighted for their higher thermal runaway temperature at 270°C compared to NMC batteries at 210°C, making LFP batteries safer, especially considering the climatic conditions in southern India. LFP batteries are also noted for their superior chemical stability.

In terms of durability, LFP batteries outperform NMC batteries with over 1500 charge cycles and the potential for 2000 cycles with proper use and maintenance. LFP batteries also have a lower self-discharge rate at 3 per cent per month compared to NMC batteries at 4 per cent per month. This means LFP batteries can operate at full capacity for more than five years and require less frequent replacement.

LFP batteries are known for their impressive lifespan, typically lasting 1,500 to 2,000 charge-discharge cycles, translating to approximately 7 to 8 years or more of regular use in EVs. This longevity reduces the frequency of battery replacements, lowering maintenance costs and enhancing ownership satisfaction. It also contributes to the sustainability and eco-friendliness of EVs, as fewer batteries need to be produced and disposed of over the vehicle's lifetime.

What are the future plans of Okaya EV for southern region?

Okaya EV is actively expanding their dealer network in the Southern market, with a strong focus on Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh. We already have a robust presence, boasting 50+ dealers in the region. This area is particularly vital, holding a 21 per cent share of the electric vehicle market and a reputation for embracing innovation.

To align with these preferences, the team is excited to announce that their upcoming electric scooter, the Moto Faast, will feature a state-of-the-art touchscreen display system. This addition addresses the growing demand for feature-rich scooters, offering customers the perfect blend of safety, style, and advanced features. The brand’s commitment to exceeding Indian customers' expectations is driven by the dynamic and passionate nature of the Indian market.

Please tell something more about the brand.

A frontrunner in India’s electric mobility space, the brand offers a wide array of solutions such as electric vehicles, EV charging, and battery swapping options. Synonymous with trust and quality, Okaya Group has been a pioneer in battery manufacturing in India for four decades. It has over 130 million satisfied customers, spread across 461,000 villages, towns, and cities in 42 countries and 5 continents. Okaya Group is a significant player in the field of electric vehicles, EV charging stations, auto components, energy storage systems, lithium, and lead acid batteries, solar street lights, solar home lighting systems, uninterrupted power supplies, inverters, stabilizers, MCB, MCCB, circuit breakers, wires, cables, and medical electronics. Okaya introduced the environmental management system and environmental policy system under its CSR efforts. Additionally, in cohesion with its dedication to environment preservation, Okaya EV has embraced the EV segment, providing the nation with affordable, sustainable and clean mobility via its line of zero emission electric two-wheelers.

What is the Product Portfolio of Okaya EV?

Okaya EV's scooter portfolio includes high-speed and low-speed models such as the Faast F4, Faast F3, F2B, and F2T in the Faast series product line. While Classiq+ and Freedum models are part of the low-speed segment. The brand ensures that customers can confidently embrace electric mobility without compromising on safety. Hence, our product lineup features the groundbreaking LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) battery technology, setting new standards for energy density, longevity, and environmental friendliness. LFP batteries also ensure safety, which is the core of Okaya EV's ethos and that’s how we plan to create value for our customers.

In recent years, consumer perceptions about EVs have undergone significant changes. Initially, there were concerns about limited driving range, a lack of charging infrastructure and higher upfront costs compared to conventional vehicles. However, advancements in battery technology have led to improved range and performance, making EVs more practical for everyday use. This is where, as a market leader, we carefully designed the Okaya Faast F4 to provide consumers with an outstanding range of 160 km per charge without worrying about range. Moreover, the development of a robust charging infrastructure has addressed one of the major hurdles to EV adoption. Consumers are now more confident that they can find charging stations conveniently, reducing the ‘range anxiety’ associated with earlier EV models.

What is the charging solution provided by the brand?

Furthermore, Okaya is the No 1 EV charger brand and is continually investing in charging infrastructure to support the widespread adoption of electric vehicles. Our efforts include collaborating with charging network providers and government agencies to establish an extensive charging network, making EV charging convenient and accessible for everyone. Through these innovations and commitments, Okaya EV is revolutionizing the battery technology landscape to drive improved performance, longer range, and seamless charging experiences for EV users.