Intending to support India in faster adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) by leveraging entrepreneurial energy of start-up backed by industry leaders, Lithium-ion EV battery maker Grinntech has transformed into a commercial enterprise.

As part of this evolution, the company has attracted industry leaders such as Dr V Sumantran (former Vice- Chairman of Ashok Leyland) and Lakshmi Narayanan (co-founder and former Vice-Chairman of Cognizant) as investors and to serve on the company’s Board of Directors. Besides, K S Manian of Radiance Group and Ucal invested in this company. The company has received about USD2 million from these investors.

Along with a new logo, Grinntech has also unveiled a range of high-tech batteries with unique designs customised to Indian conditions and its proprietary, IoT-enabled BMS to power 2-wheelers, 3-wheelers and tractors/light vehicles.

Grinntech’s journey catalysed with the fundamental truth that the Indian automotive industry’s future is EVs, and India should be self-reliant in EV technologies.

In 2013, Nikhilesh Mishra and Puneet Jain - the two young engineers came together with a passion for making EV industry indigenous. Began with developing the battery swapping model for Tata Ace where interchanging of batteries performed in less than two minutes without any automation, the duo sharpened their focus on 12kW EV conversion kit for the same vehicle. Over 20,000km of field trials conducted to validate the system.

The break-through came with being absorbed at the incubation centre in IIT Madras Research Park in 2017, where they mentored by a leading scientist - Professor Ashok Jhunjhunwala. This period saw the development of lithium-ion batteries for two/three-wheelrs and electric buses. It also gave the company to licence the technology to a few battery manufacturers, including Exide, Amara Raja, Exicom and Cygni. During the last three years, the company generated close to USD1 million, which was ploughed back in research and development. Today, over 80 percent of the staff in the company is involved in its research and development.

After evolving from a pure R & D firm to a manufacturing company, Grinntech is now pushing itself to the operational phase with a modular production system, paying particular attention to cell-characterisation and pack testing. In addition to its new R&D and manufacturing facility in Chennai, the company is exploring a couple of options for a larger manufacturing location to scale up its production capacity.

The new facility will manufacture Robin-72 and Shikhra smart and personalised 2- and 3-wheeler battery solutions using state-of-the-art automated processes and assembly lines. The facility will also manufacture Pintail, an IoT-enabled 2-wheeler starter battery and the Falcon, a larger battery suited to tractors and light vehicles. The modular production layout will allow for easy scaling up as demand grows.

Robin 72 not only provides energy to the vehicle but also makes it smart and personalised. Designed with its patented technology (developed with Qualcomm), it is 7.5 times more capable than an average BMS - battery management system. It makes it most suited for varied EV applications like ride-sharing, delivery services, battery swapping, and personal use vehicles. The battery will last up to five years and it gets up to 80 percent of charge in 40 minutes.

Shikra reduces downtime significantly, thus ensuring better earning opportunities for drivers. Designed with quality materials, it offers segment-best durability, reliability, and longevity. It assures more than 99 percent availability of battery energy. The battery will last for four years and it can get 80 percent of charge in about two hours.

Falcon (96V) is oriented to light-vehicles, including cars, LCVs and light tractors/industrial equipment, and optimised for long-life operation.

Designed, according to JIS standard, Pintail is suitable for IoT enabled petrol 2-wheelers with continuous current draw. The battery offers reliability and life to balance between high current for cranking and long life for the constant current consumption. CAN communication adds smartness and fast charging makes it most suitable for ride-sharing vehicles. The battery can get 80 percent of charge in an hour; it has a life of up to three years.

For all the batteries, the company offers variants with customisable features according to the requirements.

Grinntech works closely with leading global technology companies and cell suppliers, bringing cutting-edge advances in semiconductors, materials, cell-chemistry and formats.”It was always our dream to create a technologically advanced lithium-ion battery product-line built-to-cost for Indian conditions and its production system. We are hopeful that we will catch the fast-growing wave for EV products by Indian customers,” the company founders said.

Mishra said, “When a technology stalwart like Lakshmi Narayanan and a visionary of mobility like Dr Sumantran join hands, I expect nothing less than building up Grinntech’s battery development and manufacturing capabilities to a position of industry leadership. Apart from affordable, high-quality batteries that employ customisable and superior thermal management, we anticipate EV makers and customers will soon require additional capabilities like battery performance analytics and connectivity. With our innovative product range and sophisticated IoT-enabled BMS systems, we are ready for this future.”

Dr Sumantran said, “I am delighted to be a part of Grinntech’s journey when EVs are rapidly gaining acceptance globally and in India, and particularly so at a time when our country has articulated a priority for self-reliance in critical EV technologies. Market conditions will reward those EV battery makers that possess technological and operational competence in the coming years. Grinntech’s combination of performance, quality and economics will play an important part in that journey.”

Narayanan said, “The future of energy is in renewables with significant potential for high growth. Digital technologies such as IoT and data analytics play a crucial role in enabling companies with newer business models to provide much-needed connectedness, high performance and superior customer experience. It is heartening to see start-ups in India boldly embrace technology-driven solutions that can meaningfully address not just India’s challenges but also global ones.”

Off late, Grinntech has been getting inquiries for the supply of batteries to global clients. The anticipated growth of products like E-powered micro-cars, e-bikes, and a range of electrified mobility vehicles in the post-COVID world offers encouraging prospects for companies like Grinntech that possess proprietary technology, a low-cost base, and high-quality products. MT

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Ola Cell Technologies (OCT), a subsidiary of Ola Electric, has become the first Indian company to receive Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification for its indigenously developed 46100 Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) cylindrical cell. The certification was granted under the IS 16046 (Part 2):2018 / IEC 62133-2:2017 standards.

In addition to BIS approval, the cell has qualified under IS 16893 (Parts 2 and 3) and UN 38.3 standards, following comprehensive electrical, mechanical and safety testing at an NABL-accredited laboratory.

The 46100 LFP cylindrical cell has a claimed energy density of over 170 Wh/kg, targeting over 4,000 charge-discharge cycles. It is optimised for applications where safety, lifecycle and cost-efficiency are critical.

The cell complements Ola Electric’s existing NMC 4680 Bharat Cell portfolio. By developing both chemistries on a common 46-series architecture, the company intends to increase domestic value addition and reduce reliance on imported battery technology.

‘The successful certification and qualification of this cell reflects the strength of our R&D, engineering, and manufacturing capabilities, while reinforcing our commitment to developing world-class battery technologies in India. As we continue to expand our in-house cell portfolio, we are creating the technological foundation required to accelerate EV adoption, support future energy storage solutions, and strengthen India’s energy independence,’ the company said in a statement.

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Hindustan Zinc has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Advantek Associates and Aero Eagle Automobiles to explore the use of green hydrogen and clean energy solutions.

The company aims to evaluate hydrogen applications across its operations, including underground mining, heavy earth-moving machinery and surface vehicles.

This partnership is part of the company’s strategy to achieve Net Zero by 2050. It marks an effort to integrate hydrogen fuel into mining, an industry that remains difficult to decarbonise.

Arun Misra, CEO, Hindustan Zinc, said, “At Hindustan Zinc, we are focused on pioneering solutions that can redefine the future of sustainable mining. Hydrogen has the potential to support cleaner mobility, reduce emissions from heavy-duty equipment and create new pathways for decarbonising hard-to-abate industrial operations. This collaboration is a forward-looking step in evaluating hydrogen-based technologies, including their potential application in underground mining, as we continue to build a future-ready metals business aligned with global sustainability benchmarks.”

The collaboration will follow a phased approach, beginning with feasibility studies covering green hydrogen generation, storage and dispensing infrastructure. Assessment of Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine (H2-ICE) and fuel cell technologies. Potential use in underground mining equipment, heavy earth-moving machinery and power generators.

This initiative aligns with Hindustan Zinc’s ESG roadmap and its commitment to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The company has already increased its renewable energy usage to nearly 18 percent of its power mix. Hindustan Zinc was ranked as a sustainable metals and mining company in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2025.

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KPIT Technologies has inaugurated a new technology centre in Hanoi, Vietnam, marking an expansion of its operations in Southeast Asia. The company has also established strategic partnerships with the Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST) and VinUniversity.

The new facility will serve as a hub for engineering and innovation, supporting mobility programmes across the Asia-Pacific region. KPIT currently employs local engineers in Vietnam and plans to add over 100 positions in the near future.

The partnerships with HUST and VinUniversity aim to foster industry-academia collaboration, develop talent in the mobility sector, and create employment opportunities for students and professionals.

Sachin Tikekar, President & Joint MD, KPIT Technologies, said, “Vietnam is an important long-term market and talent hub for KPIT in Southeast Asia. We see strong potential in its talent, energy, and pace of innovation, with both homegrown and global vehicle makers continuing to invest in the country. With our new technology centre and partnerships with leading universities, we are committed to building local talent, creating high-quality jobs, and establishing a meaningful long-term presence in the region.”

KPIT aims to support the mobility industry’s focus on manufacturing efficiency, vehicle development speed, and consumer experience. The company currently operates in markets including Germany, Japan, the USA, China and India.

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AutoVRse, a Bengaluru-based enterprise VR platform, has secured USD 2.4 million in a funding round co-led by Singularity AMC’s Large Value Fund III and Early Opportunities Fund, with continued participation from Lumikai. The investment arrives as automotive manufacturers face pressure from the EV transition, complex assembly, supply chain disruptions, labour shortage, and production line defects. Many of the world’s largest auto makers have already turned to AutoVRse’s technology.

The company provides VR simulation and smart-glasses-enabled field guidance for manufacturing, heavy industry and energy. It serves over 500,000 users across 50 enterprise clients in North America, Europe the GCC, and India, including Bosch, TVS Motors, Ashok Leyland, Tata Autocomp, Panasonic, KPIT and Godrej.

Three forces are driving Indian automotive interest in AI-driven training. The EV shift has made legacy internal combustion engine training obsolete, forcing manufacturers to rebuild training libraries. A shortage of skilled labour has made faster onboarding a necessity. AI-powered smart glasses now enable real-time guidance for line workers. Use cases include assembly training for new vehicle launches, EV battery safety, quality inspection and technician training for ADAS-equipped vehicles.

With the new capital, AutoVRse plans to expand its smart-glasses-based guidance product, which it believes will become standard on assembly lines within two years. It also aims to scale its North American presence, where deployments are running at several Fortune 500 firms, while strengthening its dominance in India and the GCC.

Ashwin Jaishanker, Co-Founder and CEO, AutoVRse, said, “AutoVRse moves safety and training culture from documentation to evidence. Our training products meet workers where they are – e-learning modules, dynamic SOPs, VR simulations – so they're certified before they ever go on-site. Our AI products replace tedious safety busywork like form-filling and performative inspections with real intelligence: helping workers make better decisions in dangerous situations or catch unsafe conditions before they arise. We're grateful to Singularity AMC for backing this vision, and to Lumikai, who've believed in this bet for years.”

Vikram Jaish, Head – HSE, WCL Pipes Anjar, Welspun Corp, said, “Pipe coating operations involve multiple high-risk touchpoints where early hazard recognition is critical. With AutoVRse’s VR training, our teams can experience and identify these hazards in a realistic, controlled environment before stepping onto the shop floor. This has significantly improved awareness, preparedness and safe decision-making compared to traditional training methods.”

Yash Kela, Founder & Chief Investment Officer, Singularity AMC, said, “Most people think of AI in the context of consumer apps. AutoVRse is creating real impact with AI on the assembly line, and that is what our investment thesis is built on. The company operates at the intersection of AI and India's manufacturing revolution. We believe this is how the world will train and operate its industrial workforce over the next 10 years. AutoVRse sits at the edge of a massive, largely untapped market, and we believe the growth from here will be extraordinary.”

Aditya Deshpande, Principal, Lumikai, said, “We're thrilled to deepen our partnership with AutoVRse as they build out cutting-edge AI and VR infrastructure for Fortune 500 enterprises. With VRseBuilder, AutoVRse has demonstrated how immersion, participation and personalisation are finding consequential real-world applications across industrial training in warehouses, labs, plants and field operations of high-precision industries such as pharma, life sciences, manufacturing and petrochemicals, globally. We're excited to back Ashwin, Adarsh and the team as they make immersive AI the operating layer for global industry.”

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