Indian EV Maker Beat Tesla to Battery Breakthrough

When Elon Musk announced Tesla's dry electrode battery breakthrough last week, India's Bhavish Aggarwal had a surprise response: we've been doing that for over a year.

Ola Electric, India's homegrown electric vehicle company, revealed it began manufacturing batteries with dry electrode technology in January 2024. Hundreds of thousands of these cells are already powering scooters on Indian roads today.

The timing matters because dry electrode technology represents a genuine leap forward in making electric vehicles more affordable and sustainable. This process eliminates toxic solvents and cuts energy use by up to 30% during battery production, while reducing factory space requirements and speeding up manufacturing.

Tesla called achieving this process "incredibly difficult" when sharing their accomplishment on social media. Aggarwal responded by pointing out that world class technology is no longer exclusive to Western companies.

Ola Electric started developing the technology in 2022 and spent two years perfecting stable formulations for both battery anodes and cathodes. By 2024, they produced their first fully dry 4680 format lithium ion cell, now called the Bharat Cell.

The company has filed nearly 400 patents covering the chemistry, processing, and manufacturing systems behind their battery program. This intellectual property portfolio shows serious investment in homegrown innovation rather than simply copying existing designs.

The Ripple Effect

India's success with advanced battery technology signals a shift in the global clean energy landscape. Countries once seen only as manufacturing hubs are now leading innovation in technologies that will power millions of vehicles worldwide.

The achievement also strengthens India's position in the electric vehicle market at a critical moment. As the world races to reduce transportation emissions, having multiple countries and companies solving battery challenges increases the chances of making EVs truly affordable and accessible.

Ola Electric's breakthrough demonstrates that climate solutions can emerge from anywhere when engineers get the resources and support they need. Their success paves the way for other emerging market companies to compete in cutting edge clean technology development.

The competitive push between companies across continents is accelerating progress that benefits everyone who wants cleaner, cheaper transportation options.