IndianOil to field test metal-air batteries for

EVs

The State-run fossil fuel giant Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (Indian Oil) which is developing an aluminium air battery in collaboration with an Israeli company Phinergy. Recently it has taken a minority stake from the Israel based startup. It is all set to begin field trials with a couple of leading Indian original equipment manufacturers (OEM)s to test the technology’s performance in Indian conditions.

The company said that if the trials turn successful, it may also venture into battery production in the country. When compared with the lithium-ion batteries, metal-air batteries provides more range up to 600 km for electric vehicles. 

Related: IndianOil partners Phinergy to develop ultra-lightweight metal-air batteries

IndianOil Chairman Sanjiv Singh said that “If the field trials are successful and if our talks with EV makers fructify, the metal-air batteries can complement the lithium-ion batteries to provide a hybrid solution for large-scale adoption of electric vehicles. In terms of range, it can easily offer over 600 km.

IndianOil to field test metal-air battery for EVs

If we compare the other batteries, especially the lithium-ion batteries which are in the full demand in the market metal-air batteries such as aluminium air are cheaper due to the cathode source is abundant and the anode can be made using a low-cost metal such as Al, Zn and Fe.

The Phinergy is expert in aluminium-air (Al-Air) and zinc-air battery systems which can be used in electric mobility and stationary applications. 

The Indian Oil chief said that there will be no requirement for setting up a charging infrastructure like an EV. However, replacing the electrodes and refurbishing electrolytes would require an altogether different kind of ecosystem.

The metal-air batteries use metals like aluminium as the of and air as the cathode with a liquid electrolyte. The metal-air batteries use metals like aluminium as the anode and air as the cathode with a liquid electrolyte.

An aluminium-based metal-air battery uses oxygen from the air and combines it with the metal to form the aluminium hydroxide which activates the electrolysis process and creates an electric current. These batteries are lighter and compact with high energy density.

The al-air batteries provide many advantages like higher range, energy density, safety, longer life-cycle when compare with others.

Under their partnership, IndianOil and Phinergy intend to build a factory in India to manufacture Al-Air batteries for electric vehicles and stationary applications and develop eco-system for Al-Air technology.

“We are confident that this Al-Air battery technology would complement Lithium-ion batteries to provide a hybrid solution for large-scale adoption of electric vehicles in the country. Al-air battery technology has advantages on a number of factors like range, energy density, the safety of operations, life-cycle, India-centric,” Singh said.  

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