Simple Energy, C4V join forces to set up li-ion cell manufacturing ecosystem in India
Bengaluru-based electric two-wheeler manufacturer Simple Energy has announced that it has signed an MoU with lithium-ion battery technology company C4V to set up a Lithium-ion cell manufacturing ecosystem here in India.
The alliance is feasibly a strategic move in Simple Energy's plans to become the largest two-wheeler producer in the world. The EV maker is at present aiming to sell 100,000 units of its Simple One E-scooter in FY 23.
On their latest collaboration with C4V, Simple Energy co-founder Shreshth Mishra states, 'The idea behind the partnership is to combine two indigenous technologies, research, and development based companies. We want to develop and manufacture products in India. Our motive of working together is to go up against other manufacturers who are parachuting products from other countries and selling them here in India.'
Mishra also said that C4V and Simple Energy are confident that products developed from the ground up here in India, would fair better in our conditions. He also claimed that the partnership will help in delivering better performance, vehicle range, and safety in their battery packs that will be used in different form factors.
Further quoting the recent incidents of electric scooters catching fire, Mishra stated that in addition to bringing the costs down, developing the cell technology completely in-house will help both companies to reduce their dependency on rare materials, used in existing cell technologies. The new cells will be developed keeping Indian parameters in mind and will help in developing the right technology that will be more efficient and less prone to catching fire.
Simple Energy's existing plant in Hosur, Tamil Nadu, can produce 200,000 units per annum that can further be scaled up to 1 million units. However, the Lithium-ion cell development and manufacturing ecosystem will be set up at the company's second plant in Dharmapuri, spread over 600 acres. Once completed the facility is set to have a total installed capacity of 12.5 million units per year.
