Hyd Firm Develops Alternative To Lithium-Ion Batteries For EVs

Visakhapatnam: In an eco-friendly initiative, Hyderabad-based International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI) has developed Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery technology as a sustainable alternative.

This breakthrough, which aims to minimise dependency on battery imports, was disclosed by Dr. Tata Narasinga Rao, former ARCI Director and Research Advisor at IIT-Hyderabad, during a scientific talk at GITAM deemed to be university here on Friday. Dr. Rao delivered his lecture on 'Sustainable Battery Technologies for Self-reliance' at a meeting conducted by the Chemistry Department of GITAM School of Science.

In his address, he highlighted the increasing demand for advanced battery technologies driven by the government of India's goal to produce 30 per cent electric vehicles (EVs) by 2030. Dr. Rao emphasised the need for indigenous technologies to make battery production in India cost-effective and reduce dependence on imports.

He shared that ARCI's long-term research on LFP technology has positioned it as a viable solution for the Indian market.

The technology has been successfully transferred to a local company, which has already established a pilot facility at the

ARCI incubator is moving closer to full commercialization. He discussed the safety challenges associated with NMC (Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt) batteries, particularly under India's tropical conditions, due to thermal management issues. LFP technology addresses these challenges, making it a safer and more sustainable option for EVs and energy storage systems.