Rechargion Energy Secures ARAI Safety Test Validation for Sodium-Ion Batteries, Eyes Commercialisation in 2026
Pune-based Rechargion Energy , a spin-off from CSIR–National Chemical Laboratory (NCL) , has achieved a significant milestone in India’s energy storage ecosystem by obtaining IEC62660/IS16893 safety test validation for its sodium-ion battery cells. The certification was awarded by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) after rigorous evaluation at its Homologation and Technology Centre .
Over a period of two months, ARAI conducted a comprehensive series of destructive safety tests on multiple sodium-ion battery cells manufactured by Rechargion Energy. The assessments included vibration, mechanical shock, crushing, high-temperature endurance, short-circuiting, overcharging, and forced discharge tests —all of which the cells successfully passed, establishing their reliability and robustness for potential commercial applications.
This development places Rechargion Energy among the few Indian companies advancing sodium-ion battery technology , a promising alternative to lithium-ion batteries. Sodium-ion technology is gaining traction globally for its lower cost, abundant raw material availability, enhanced safety, and better sustainability profile compared to lithium-ion chemistry.
Speaking on the achievement, Dr. Vilas Shelke, CEO of Rechargion Energy , said: “We shall try to leverage this breakthrough for e-mobility applications with a particular focus on the 2W and 3W segment. Currently, we can produce 10 Ah capacity cells with more than 10,000 cycle life at our pilot plant facility. We will scale up the end-to-end manufacturing for 500–1000 cells per day with expected commercialisation in 12–15 months.”
The pilot plant is already capable of producing 10 Ah sodium-ion cells , offering an impressive 10,000+ cycle life , which far surpasses the cycle life of conventional lithium-ion batteries. With plans to scale manufacturing capacity to 500–1000 cells per day , Rechargion Energy is aiming for commercial rollout by mid-2026 , targeting primarily the electric two-wheeler (2W) and three-wheeler (3W) markets —the backbone of India’s EV adoption.
Industry experts believe that sodium-ion batteries could play a vital role in reducing India’s dependency on imported lithium and cutting down the cost of EV ownership. The ARAI certification is expected to boost industry confidence in sodium-ion as a viable, indigenous, and scalable solution for clean mobility and stationary storage applications.
With this validation, Rechargion Energy has positioned itself at the forefront of India’s next-generation battery technology race , potentially unlocking a new chapter in the country’s energy transition journey .
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