| | AUGUST 20268Tata Group's battery division, Agratas Energy Storage Solutions Pvt., is preparing to produce cells with its own technology for the first time as China's stricter regulations drive the conglomerate to pursue self-sufficiency, according to reports.Agratas Energy Storage Solutions, a privately held company, is establishing a pilot production line for lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells at its new battery plant in Sanand, Gujarat, India.Engineers from India, South Korea, and China will collaborate to enhance manufacturing methods and confirm the first batch of LFP cells at this pilot line prior to the start of commercial production.The shift is a conscious change for Agratas after leaders determined that the likelihood of a technology agreement with a Chinese company is a nonexistent, due to Beijing's strict limitations on exporting essential manufacturing expertise. Multiple Indian companies, such as Reliance Industries Ltd. and JSW Group, are encountering challenges in obtaining the technology required for local cell production as current licensing agreements break down. Ola Electric, the EV manufacturer, has launched its sales and service network for dealer partners throughout India, transitioning to a dealership model after five years of running company-owned outlets.The firm stated that its owned outlets contributed to raising awareness about electric vehicles, strengthening the Ola brand, and establishing India's biggest electric two-wheeler customer base with over one million riders.The action comes after a month of discussions with potential dealers nationwide. Ola Electric stated it garnered a robust reaction, with dealers showing trust in the brand and the potential.Bhavish Aggarwal, the Chair-man and Managing Director of Ola Electric, stated that the shift illustrates the advancement of India's EV market."This is a big shift in how we go to market, and one that reflects where the EV industry in India is headed. We built our own stores first because trust in EVs had to be earned store by store, city by city". Battery-swapping solutions provider Indofast Energy announced a strategic alliance with Charge Point Operator (CPO) Zeon Charging to enhance battery-swapping infrastructure in premium, high-traffic areas of south India.As part of the partnership, Indofast Energy will install its Quick Interchange Stations (QIS) at Zeon's charging loca-tions, which include high-end malls, metro parking centers, and business districts in Benga-luru, Hyderabad, Chennai, and additional major areas.The collaboration has started with the installation of 6 QIS at two sites in Bengaluru, including Orion Mall, and it mentioned that there are inten-tions to expand the deployment at Orion Mall further."Our collaboration with Zeon Charging enables us to bring battery swapping to some of the most accessible and high-visi-bility locations across Southern India. Premium malls, metro parking facilities, and commer-cial hubs are exactly the kind of high-traffic sites where EV users need seamless energy access," said Subhash Bhat, In-terim CEO, Indofast Energy. TATA'S AGRATAS TURNS TO IN-HOUSE TECH FOR MAKING LITHIUM CELLSOLA ELECTRIC PIVOTS TO DEALER-LED RETAIL AFTER FIVE YEARSINDOFAST ENERGY, ZEON CHARGING EXPAND BATTERY-SWAPPING NETWORKNEWSROOM BUSINESS GROWTH
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