KPIT, Trentar partner on 3 GWh sodium-ion battery plant

KPIT, an India-based automotive software and engineering solutions supplier, has selected Trentar Energy to commercialize its proprietary sodium-ion battery technology.

KPIT unveiled its sodium-ion battery technology in Dec. 2023 with energy density ranging from 100 Wh/kg to 170 Wh/kg, and potentially reaching 220 Wh/kg.

Now, Trentar Energy Solutions, a company catering to the electrical mobility and energy storage space, said it will commercialize KPIT’s battery technology using its strong research, manufacturing and distribution strengths .

Under the collaboration, KPIT will transfer its sodium-ion battery technology to Trentar Energy Solutions to operationalise and commercialise it further.  The technology transfer agreement includes Trentar investing in a manufacturing capacity of 3 GWh sodium-ion batteries and KPIT receiving upfront technology transfer fees and additional royalty fees over eight years.

Sodium-ion battery technology utilises earth-abundant raw materials. It offers an 80% capacity retention for 3,000-6,000 cycles, and faster charging capability than lithium batteries. It has promising applications in the mobility sector, including two, three, four wheelers and public transportation, stationary deployments, such as UPS backups and grid storage, as well as in the marine and defence sectors.

“Building sustainable mobility technologies is at the heart of KPITs vision. Sodium-ion battery technology was born from the team’s passion, perseverance, and synergetic collaboration with leading research institutes. We are pleased to have this agreement with Trentar, who will further operationalise and commercialise this technology for multiple market opportunities. KPIT will continue to work on several other sustainable technology solutions,” said Ravi Pandit, chairman, KPIT Technologies.

“With its cost-effectiveness, simplified supply chain, and enhanced safety, sodium-ion technology represents a strategic focus for our organization. We are committed to developing a robust technological product line in this space, catering to diverse customers across mobility and energy storage verticals,” said Subodh Menon, founder and vice chairman, Trentar.

From pv magazine India