Epsilon Advanced Materials (EAM) and Daejoo Electronic Materials (Daejoo), have announced a joint development program to develop a silicon-graphite composite (graphite-rich) by combining Epsilon’s graphite and Daejoo’s silicon material.

The Mumbai-headquartered Epsilon Advanced Materials is a leading global manufacturer of environmentally conscious lithium-ion battery (LiB) anode and cathode materials. While South Korea-based Daejoo is one of the leading global producers of silicon anode materials for lithium-ion battery (LiB).

The partners plan to develop a product that outperforms current material technology used in LiB, delivering enhanced performance and efficiency. The companies state that Japanese trading company Nagase played a role in enabling the partnership.

The partners have set an ambitious target to develop Gen-1 Graphite rich silicon composite anode materials for LiB with capacity of 450 - 600 mAh/g, which they say will improve discharge capacity by 50 percent and lifespan of the battery by thousands of cycles.

As per the understanding, EAM will supply synthetic graphite, which will be used to create and evaluate SiOx-graphite composites in Daejoo’s laboratories. On the other hand, Daejoo will provide samples for the same purpose, allowing EAM to tailor and test SiOx-graphite composites in its own labs.

They aim to qualify the SiOx-graphite composite materials with their customers to develop innovative products. According to EAM’s current schedule, the first stage development and evaluation of the SiOx-Graphite composite material is expected to be completed by end-2024 and then explore the material qualification with cell manufacturers jointly. 

Vikram Handa, MD, Epsilon Group, said, “We are excited to announce our partnership with one of the world's leading producers of silicon anode materials to develop revolutionary battery material technology. This collaboration shows our dedication to accelerating India's and global transition to clean energy and sustainable mobility. Through continuous R&D efforts like these, we are committed to pioneering advancements in battery innovation. Upon successful completion of our rigorous in-house evaluation processes, we will be well-equipped to meet the evolving needs of the mobility industry by providing high-performance, safe battery solutions.”

Dae Woon Park, MD, Daejoo Electronic Materials, said, “This partnership marks a significant step forward in our mission to innovate and enhance battery performance. Collaborating with EAM, not only strengthens our presence in the rapidly growing Indian market but also aligns with our global strategy of developing advanced materials tailored to the diverse needs of customers and the market. With EAM, we aim to develop cutting-edge battery materials that will drive sustainable progress and deliver unparalleled value to our customers and stakeholders.”

It is interesting to note that the silicon-graphite battery materials representing a significant advancement in lithium-ion battery technology. It combines the high capacity of silicon with the stability of graphite, which offers a superior alternative to traditional graphite anodes, meeting the increasing demands for higher performance, longer life, and fast charging in modern battery applications. This makes it well suited for the evolving needs of the automobile industry and other high-power demand sectors.

TI Clean Mobility, part of the Murugappa Group, has appointed Jalaj Gupta as the new Managing Director.  

The auto industry veteran in his last position was the Business Head for Commercial Vehicles at Mahindra Group. He has around 29 years of experience in the automotive industry with expertise in business strategy, product development, sales, marketing, and vendor management.

Gupta an alumnus of Punjabi University and IMT Ghaziabad has also held leadership roles at Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland.

Prior to Gupta, TI Clean Mobility was led by Kalyan Kumar Paul, who served as the Managing Director with over 30-years of career with Tube Investments of India (TII) Group, which is part of the Murugappa Group. Paul had retired from the company in October 2024.

TI Clean Mobility, the electric vehicle business of the Murugappa Group, currently sells electric three-wheelers under the Montra brand and is also set to enter the electric small commercial vehicle (e-SCV) and electric tractor space. 

Mumbai-based automotive major Mahindra has unveiled the teaser sketches of its upcoming electric origin SUVs – the BE 6e and XEV 9e ahead of the November 26 debut.

Based on the Heartcore design philosophy, the BE 6e and XV 9e are completely new pure electric vehicles designed by the company, which it believes will disrupt the passenger vehicle segment.

The company is betting big on the upcoming EVs as they encapsulate dynamic styling, premium materials, and progressive proportions.

Pratap Bose, Chief Design & Creative Officer, Mahindra & Mahindra, said, “Heartcore Design is about creating an emotional bond with our customers through design. Prepare to fall in love with our Electric Origin SUVs.”

Montra Electric, a brand owned by Tl Clean Mobility Pvt Ltd, has praised the Government of India for the continuation of subsidy support for the electrification of last-mile mobility under the PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) Scheme.

Roy Kurian, Business Head, Montra Electric (Last Mile Division), said, “Montra Electric sincerely thanks the Ministry of Heavy Industry, Govt of India for ensuring continuity of the subsidy support to last-mile mobility. This crucial support will help the industry navigate challenges and further speed up the shift to electric last-mile solutions.”

The PM E-DRIVE Scheme was launched on 29 September 2024. The scheme was put into effect on 1 October 2024 and will continue until 31 March 2026. Furthermore, EMPS-2024, the number of vehicles and the spending under EMPS-2024 for e-2w and e-3w being implemented from 1 April 2024 to 30 September 2024 are being subsumed under the PM E-DRIVE Scheme; hence, the scheme's effective time will be two years.

Pure EV, one of India's leading electric two-wheeler manufacturers, has entered into a strategic partnership with Arva Electric Vehicles Manufacturing LLC, a subsidiary of Clarion Investment LLC, with an aim to expand its presence across the Middle East and African regions.

Under the terms of the agreement, Pure EV will provide Arva Electric with a first shipment of 50,000 of its flagship models, the eTryst X and ecoDryft, over the next couple of years. Pure EV's position in these developing markets is anticipated to be cemented when the supply rises to 60,000 units per year after this initial phase. Pure EV will be Arva Electric's key technology partner in addition to supplying motorcycles, offering knowledge and assistance all the way through the distribution process. Pure EV will uphold all intellectual property rights pertaining to the bikes in order to safeguard unique technology as they increase their market share.

Dr Nishanth Dongari, Founder and Managing Director, Pure EV, said, “Our commitment to innovation and user experience ensures that we provide market-ready offerings and meet the growing demand for electric mobility solutions. This partnership not only aims to enhance sales but also to foster sustainable mobility solutions in regions where electric motorcycles are rapidly gaining traction, marking a significant step towards expanding our footprint in Middle East and African markets. By leveraging our strengths and capabilities together with Arva Electric, we are poised to make a significant impact on the electric vehicle landscape globally.”

Aniyan Kutty, Managing Director, Arva Electric Vehicles Manufacturing LLC, said, “We are pleased to partner with Pure EV, as their expertise in R&D and cutting-edge technology helps in building efficient and reliable 2W products. Both the companies are committed to promoting eco-friendly mobility solutions with an aim to reduce carbon emissions and support environmental sustainability in these regions.”