Mahindra, LG Chem to develop Li-ion battery

Auto maker Mahindra and Mahindra today said it has tied up with Korea-based battery manufacturer LG Chem for development of a unique cell exclusively for India. LG Chem will develop a unique cell exclusively for India application and will also supply Li-ion (lithium-ion) cells based on NMC (nickel-manganese-cobalt) chemistry with high energy density, Mahindra and Mahindra (M&M) said in a release. M&M said these cells will be deployed in the Mahindra and SsangYong range of electric vehicles. LG Chem will also design the Li-ion battery modules for Mahindra Electric, which in turn will create battery packs for the Mahindra Group and other consumers. "This association with LG Chem will give Mahindra the requisite access to advanced battery technology and will also enable us to deliver globally competitive products," said Hemant Sikka, President and Chief Purchase Officer, Mahindra and Mahindra. He said the company is preparing to scale up in accordance with its expansion plans in order to meet demand expected in the near future. LG Chem Executive Vice President in Energy Solution Company J H Kim said: "LG Chem expects this collaboration will be one of the memorable moments for putting the commercialisation of electric vehicle in India market." M&M said keeping in view the investment plan announced last year, a battery module plant is also under development. The plant will have a capacity of half a million battery modules per annum and will also house a battery module pack line.

The entire facility for both module and pack is expected to go into production in the last quarter of 2019-20.

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