Isro to share technology for manufacturing Lithium-Ion batteries for vehicles

The Vikram Sarabhai Space Center (VSCC) under the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) has developed the technology necessary for manufacturing Lithium-Ion batteries for use in electric vehicles. The Government has asked Isro to share this technology with the private sector. Isro will come up with a framework to allow smooth transfer of the Lithium-Ion battery technology, according to a report in Indiatimes.Several private industries and public sector undertakings have already shown their interest in acquiring the technology for locally manufacturing Lithium-Ion batteries. Mahindra, Hyundai, Nissan, Tata Motors, High Energy Batteries, BHEL, and Indian Oil have already shown interest in manufacturing Lithium-Ion batteries in India.Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari had asked Isro to develop the technologies for manufacturing Lithium-Ion batteries that are affordable for Indian consumers. The batteries are expensive at the moment because they are only ordered for in small quantities, and costs can reduce by up to 80 percent if there are bulk orders in larger volumes. The key to making Lithium-Ion batteries cheaper, is to encourage demand.Air pollution caused by vehicular exhaust is a major public health concern, and the Government is tackling the problem by enforcing harsher regulations on vehicle emissions, and encouraging the adoption of electric vehicles. Lithium-Ion batteries are the key component of electric vehicles, and the batteries are imported at the moment.