Suzuki, Denso, Toshiba JV is set to launch their Li-ion cells from the Gujarat plant by 2025. Suzuki Motor Corp., Toshiba Corp., and Denso Corp. plan to turn their joint manufacturing facility for lithium-ion (Li-ion) cells in Gujarat.
The Suzuki Motor Corp., Toshiba Corp., and Denso Corp. plan to turn their joint manufacturing facility for lithium-ion (Li-ion) cells in Gujarat into a global export hub.
The plant is set to go on stream by year-end 2021. The information available in the public domain shows the company would be launching cells with LFP chemistry with Li Titanate Oxide as an anode.
Suzuki, Denso, Toshiba Corp to Make Li-ion Cell in Gujarat?
In 2017, Suzuki formed a joint venture with Toshiba and Denso was to invest ₹1,250 crores to build a factory in Hansalpur, Gujarat, to assemble Li-ion battery packs.
Subsequently, the three companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Gujarat government, with a total investment of Rs 4,930 crore to manufacture 30 million lithium cells annually.
This would be interesting, as though Toshiba is a leader in high-end batteries using Titanium, this battery might be expensive for the Indian market. Also, the Li Titanate Oxide battery has a lower surface energy of 60-110wh/kg and 177wh/L. Typical new-age EV batteries in China & US are currently at 300 wh/kg.
The life of this battery would be high 6000-9000 cycles with fast charging ability, compared to 2000 cycles of LFP cells in the Indian market today.
A spokeswoman for Maruti Suzuki India said, “We plan to launch an EV by 2025. In this direction, prototype test exercises will be jointly conducted between Suzuki and Toyota.”
Read more: Maruti Suzuki Wagon R EV Price and Launch
Though Suzuki has made it public it’s in no hurry to launch EVs for India, this Joint venture (Suzuki has 50%) is taking the lead by being the first to manufacture cells in India.
