To speed up the process of technology transfer for its electric vehicle batteries, Indian Space Research Organisation’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday organised a pre-application conference for 137 companies, which showed interest in its indigenously developed high-powered lithium-ion batteries, reported Times of India.
Speaking to TOI on Tuesday, Isro chairman K Sivan said, “We held a pre-conference briefing at VSSC for representatives of 137 companies (however, representatives of only 114 firms turned up), which showed interest in battery technology. These companies were invited as they responded to Isro’s request for qualification. To familiarise them with the technology, the representatives were shown the facility, where e-vehicle batteries were developed.” Later, a documentary on development of batteries was screened.
Sivan said, “After the facility visit and conference, if these companies show confidence in taking up the task of mass production of e-vehicle batteries, then they will be asked to submit required documents along with an application and Rs 4 lakh as security deposit. There will be a three-stage evaluation process. A high-level committee, including government representatives, will be set up to scrutinise genuine contenders. If any company backs out during the evaluation process or is not shortlisted, then Isro will return the security deposit. The shortlisted companies will then be asked to pay a one-time fee of Rs 1 crore for technology transfer.”
Sivan clarified that foreign companies will not be given the technology and the patent will remain with Isro. VSSC will transfer the technology to the shortlisted firms and help them produce cells of varying size, capacity, energy and power density catering to the entire spectrum of power storage requirements.
