Hyderabad-based battery startup Godi Energy has recently announced the production of 5.2 Ah 21700 cylindrical lithium-ion battery cells with an energy density of 275 Wh/kg. These cells are based on silicon anode technology, and the electrode composition has been locally developed to suit Indian market requirements, according to the company.
Godi claims that the use of silicon in anode is a major breakthrough for two reasons. One, the increased energy density can offer electric vehicles an extended driving range by 15-20 percent in single charge. Silicon can store nearly 10 times more energy than regular graphite anode, it adds.
Two, the silicon as a material is naturally abundant and locally available, therefore the cost of battery manufacturing can be reduced in the long run.
However, silicon anode achieves about 400 percent volume expansion during charge and discharge cycles, making it difficult to stabilize. To address this limitation, Godi has developed an eco-friendly water-based electrode manufacturing process to stabilize the anodes.
Speaking on the new development, Mahesh Godi, Founder and CEO of Godi Energy, said "We are delighted to announce the manufacturing of 5.2 Ah ithium-ion cells at our Hyderabad facility. With the boom in EV sector constituting two-, three- and four-wheelers in India and across the world, the need of high energy cells have become very essential".
"We have already delivered 5.0Ah cells to top 6 OEMs in India, and are planning to deliver 5.2Ah cells in the near future. We believe that these high energy density cells developed with in-house technology will be an important landmark for 'Made in India' for domestic and international market", he added.
Godi Energy is perhaps the first Indian startup to secure BIS certification to li-ion battery cells manufactured using indigenous technology. The company claims to continue innovating anode and cathode manufacturing to further improve energy density and cell performance.
The company is also planning a 100 MWh pilot production facility for 5.0 - 5.2 Ah cells in the immediate future, later followed by a giga plant to cater to the emerging demand for battery cells from electric vehicles in the country.
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