India's battery industry shifts into gear with investment drive

Reliance acquisitions, New Delhi subsidies lay groundwork to meet EV demand

20220415N Tata Motors EV

Tata Motors launches its Nexon EV sport utility vehicle in Mumbai in 2020. India is promoting electrification to reduce oil imports and alleviate air pollution. © Reuters

RYOSUKE HANADA, Nikkei staff writer

MUMBAI -- India is accelerating a public-private push to promote battery manufacturing, aiming to bring production of high-performance cells home as the country looks to become a hub for the burgeoning electric vehicle industry.

Reliance Industries, an Indian conglomerate, said last month it would acquire Lithium Werks, a Dutch maker of lithium iron phosphate batteries, for $61 million through subsidiary Reliance New Energy Solar.

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