Ola Founder Bhavish Aggarwal Introduces New ‘Bharat Cell’ Battery for Electric Vehicles
New Delhi, India – Bhavish Aggarwal, the founder of Ola, has announced the development of a new lithium cell battery called the ‘Bharat Cell’. This advanced battery is currently in the trial phase and is expected to revolutionize the Indian electric vehicle (EV) market once fully launched.
Cutting-Edge Technology
Aggarwal described the Bharat Cell as the ‘5G of lithium cells’, highlighting its advanced technology. He emphasized that this innovation was developed entirely in India without any external partnerships. The battery has received certification from the Bureau of Indian Standards, a crucial step before starting commercial production at Ola’s Gigafactory.
India’s EV Hub Vision
Ola Electric aims to make India a global hub for electric vehicles. Aggarwal stated that to achieve this, India needs to produce EVs that cater to local needs, such as two-wheelers and three-wheelers. The Bharat Cell is a significant step towards this goal, as it integrates advanced lithium technology developed in India.
Advantages of Bharat Cell
The Bharat Cell offers several benefits, including higher energy capacity, faster charging, and lower costs. It has an energy density of 275 Watt-hour per kg, which means more energy in the same weight, leading to better performance and reduced costs. The battery also uses less cobalt, further lowering its cost.
Production and Localization
The Bharat Cell will be produced at Ola’s EV hub in Tamil Nadu, which spans 1500-2000 acres. While the cathode-anode technology is developed in-house, the materials are sourced from countries like Japan, Korea, China, and Europe. Aggarwal believes that India can localize the supply chain within the next four to five years, leveraging its strong pharmaceutical and chemical industries.
About Bhavish Aggarwal
Bhavish Aggarwal co-founded Ola Cabs with Ankit Bhati in 2011. He was named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in 2018. Aggarwal holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and Engineering from IIT Bombay, which he received in 2008.