A high-level Japanese delegation comprising senior government officials and industry experts will visit India in early July 2025. Their mission: to provide cutting-edge technology support and strategic guidance aimed at advancing India’s advanced chemistry cell (ACC) battery manufacturing capabilities to a targeted 30 gigawatt hours (GWh) of annual production.
India’s battery industry, crucial for the country’s EV and renewable energy goals, has made notable progress in recent years, supported by government initiatives like the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme. However, major beneficiary firms—including Reliance New Energy, Ola Cell Technologies, and Rajesh Exports—have faced delays in scaling up to the ambitious 30 GWh capacity. For example, Ola Cell Technologies has only achieved 1.4 GWh of its planned 20 GWh installation so far.
These delays are attributed to technology gaps, a shortage of skilled manpower, and limited access to upstream components and raw materials such as lithium, graphite, and cobalt. With India currently importing about 75% of its lithium-ion batteries from China and Hong Kong, the need for robust domestic manufacturing and supply chain resilience is more urgent than ever.
Japan’s support is expected to help Indian companies overcome operational bottlenecks, accelerate technology adoption, and enhance the quality and efficiency of locally manufactured batteries. This aligns with India’s broader push for self-reliance in clean energy and its vision to become a global hub for EV and energy storage solutions.
The upcoming visit builds on existing India-Japan collaborations, such as the joint venture between Indian Oil Corporation and Panasonic Energy for lithium-ion cell manufacturing. The two countries have also deepened cooperation under the India-Japan Clean Energy Partnership, which covers EVs, battery storage, green hydrogen, and renewable integration.
During the visit, the Japanese team is expected to engage with Indian government officials, industry leaders, and local manufacturers through site visits, technology workshops, and B2B meetings. These interactions aim to foster new partnerships, joint ventures, and research and development initiatives, further strengthening the bilateral relationship.
With India’s lithium-ion battery demand projected to grow at a CAGR of 23% by 2027, the Japanese delegation’s support could not be more timely. Experts recommend that India also invest in battery recycling, R&D for alternative chemistries like sodium-ion and metal-air batteries, and the development of a robust recycling industry to secure cost-effective raw materials.
