The Bengaluru-based electric vehicle start-up Simple Energy has signed a MoU with US-based battery maker C4V for setting up a lithium-ion cell manufacturing facility for cells in India. The partnership, which aims to bring down the dependence on imports, also aims at creating a battery cell manufacturing ecosystem in India and add value to the Make In India cause.
C4V is expected to bring along its advanced lithium-ion battery technology ---lithium-ion battery cells are the central unit of any electric vehicle (EV) --- to power Simple Energy’s upcoming two-wheelers and four-wheelers. C4V is currently in the final stages of commissioning its iM3NY Gigafactory located in upstate New York, the USA targeting production over the next few months in 2022.
The Simple Energy and C4V facility in India will come up over a 600 acre plot, where the former plans to build a second EV factory as part of its Phase 2 expansion plans. Simple Energy had already announced an investment of Rs 2500 crore on setting up its EV manufacturing plants in Tamil Nadu. Simple Energy is putting $150 million (roughly Rs 1136 crore) on the new lithium ion cell manufacturing unit.
R&D to focus on battery safety, too
The partnership between the two companies will work on C4V's P-, N-, S-series battery and LiSER (Lithium Slim Energy Reserve) tech, which is said to offer better safety, higher energy density than LFP, fast-charging and longer lifecycle based on patented technology.
"By partnering with C4V, we will consolidate cell supply, which is a vital component for us. This strategy will also make us more self-reliant and reduces our dependency on imports," Shreshth Mishra, Co-Founder, Simple Energy said in a statement.
The two companies are also expected to focus on R&D to make cells safer for batteries, which in the current scenario in the country, is just what the doctor-ordered.
"C4V is looking forward to this strategic collaboration, thereby supporting the development of the EV industry in India," Kuldeep Gupta, VP – Strategic Partnership, C4V said.
Simple Energy: The story so far
Simple Energy’s EV factory near Hosur, Tamil Nadu, which will have an annual production capacity of up to 1 million units, is currently getting ready for mass manufacturing and will be operational in the coming weeks. The company has also commissioned its second plant in nearby Dharmapuri, Tamil Nadu, which will have a capacity of 12.5 million units annually (this will be the site of the battery unit).
The Bengaluru-based energy startup had launched its first e-scooter Simple One mid-August last year. It has, however, not yet commenced the deliveries of its first offering. The deliveries of the Simple One electric scooter is likely to commence from June 2022. The company claims it has already received over 30,000 bookings till date.
The Simple One is powered by a 4.8kWh lithium-ion battery. Most electric vehicle manufacturers that use lithium-ion batteries in India import the cells inside these battery packs. Some of them import entire battery units while some others import the cells and manufacture the battery themselves. Now, Simple Energy will have them manufactured entirely here.
