The aluminium manufacturing subsidiary of the Aditya Birla Group, Hindalco has joined hands with Israel-based battery manufacturer Phinergy and IOP, a joint venture between Indian Oil Corporation and Phinergy, to develop aluminium-air batteries for EVs. As per the contract, Phinergy and IOP will partner with Hindalco on R&D and pilot manufacturing of aluminium plates for Aluminium-Air batteries, and recycling of aluminium, after usage in these batteries.
Based on the metal-air technology, the aluminium-air batteries deliver energy when aluminium reacts with oxygen in the air to produce aluminium hydroxide. The lightweight and the energy-dense aluminium-air battery will greatly increase the driving range of EVs. Additionally, the surplus aluminium hydroxide in the batteries can be recycled to recover aluminium. Hindalco enunciated that these batteries will enable rapid ‘refuelling’ and will eliminate the need for expensive EV charging stations. Aluminium-air batteries are anticipated to make EVs more convenient and accelerate the transition to green mobility.
Satish Pai, MD, Hindalco Industries Limited said, “India has an abundance of aluminium resources and this technology can help enhance the nation’s energy and resource security.”
David Mayer, the CEO, of Phinergy, said, “Phinergy strongly believes Aluminium-Air batteries will contribute to the clean energy revolution in India. The partnership is a major step in the deployment of Aluminium-Air batteries in India and we are confident this collaboration will significantly enhance the development of an ecosystem enabling us to supply “aluminium as energy” made in India.”
Sanjeev Gupta, Chairman, IOP, said, “IOP was incorporated with the objective of commercialisation and manufacturing of Aluminium-Air energy systems in India to strengthen India’s energy security. Aluminium is abundantly available in India and its usage as an energy storage medium through this novel technology has the potential to contribute immensely to Atmanirbhar Bharat. This partnership with Hindalco is a big step toward catalysing our efforts to develop a favourable ecosystem for faster dissemination of the Aluminium-Air battery technology. The collaboration will propel India’s aspirational journey towards sustainable, affordable and safe energy options for stationary and e-Mobility purposes.”
