
Aluminium for EV battery unit
Why is it in the news ?
- Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) is in talks with Hindalco Industries Limited to source aluminium.
- IOCL has proposed one GW (gigawatt) aluminium air battery facility as the State-owned entity looks for an alternative to lithium-ion batteries.
More in the news
- The move is in tune with the government’s strategy to facilitate the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in India to cut the fuel import bill.
- Last year, IOCL had signed an initial pact with Israel’s Phinergy Ltd. for developing ultra light-weight metal-air batteries that can be used in EVs.
- Features of Aluminium Air Batteries:
(1) Aluminium air battery is said to be much cheaper, lighter and available in abundance compared with the lithium-ion batteries.
(2) They are ideal for EVs.
(3) Aluminium air battery for an EV has a long-lasting regenerative cathode with a very high ‘energy density’ that can be stored and provided for the car.
Source
The Hindu.