In an exclusive chat with The Pioneer, Anshul Gupta, managing director of Okaya Electric Vehicles, which has recently entered into the Electric Mobility space, speaks of their vision, benefits of LFP for the customers, and more.
K. Ramya Sree
Recently, it was announced that India will come up with a new policy to attract electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers and encourage greater investment in the sector. Commerce minister Piyush Goyal’s comments on Wednesday come as U.S. EV maker, Tesla continues its talk with Narendra Modi’s administration on the possibility of building a factory in India.
Wondering why we are talking about the policies and EVs? Today, in this article we will discuss Okaya group, which has been at the forefront of battery, software, and technology for over 40 years via its group companies such as Okaya, Okaya Infocom, Microtek, and its subsidiaries, in over 50 countries across the globe, as it has entered into the electric vehicle space. The company caught our attention because Okaya is India’s third largest battery manufacturer and it’s India’s no.1 charging station manufacturer.
With all this experience and industry expertise, Okaya has entered into the Electric Mobility space in a big way, offering solutions from Electric Vehicles and Electric Vehicle Batteries to EV Charging and Battery Swapping solutions. Their USP lies in our lineage, experience, and leadership established over 4 decades. Anshul Gupta, managing director of Okaya Electric Vehicles, speaking with The Pioneer shared, “Our ambitious vision and future goals revolve around the expansion of our Electric Vehicle Portfolio, with a steadfast commitment to delivering customer-centric products while placing the utmost emphasis on safety. Our primary dedication lies in manufacturing the safest Electric Vehicles and developing the essential EV charging infrastructure. We are actively growing our dealer network in the Southern market, with a strong focus on the states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. Currently, we proudly operate with more than 50 dealers in this region, which is of paramount importance, accounting for a substantial 21% share of the electric vehicle market and being renowned for its openness to innovation.”
Since they are one of the leading battery manufacturers in India, we asked him about how LFP battery technology functions and why it’s beneficial for the consumers, and to this, he replied, “In the world of lithium-ion batteries, two prominent technologies stand out: LFP and NMC. These technologies diverge in terms of their chemical composition, as one employs nickel, manganese, and cobalt, while the other is based on lithium iron phosphate. In order to determine the relevant battery type for India, it is adjudicated on the basis of several factors such as safety, durability, performance, and sustainability. The customer’s first consideration factor while buying an EV is safety. It is a crucial factor, which includes both chemical and thermal stability. LFP batteries have a higher thermal runaway at 270 °C, whereas NMC batteries have a lower thermal runaway at 210 °C, making the former one safer. LFP batteries do not catch fire or fail at higher temperatures, which is especially relevant considering the climatic conditions in the southern regions of our country. Furthermore, LFP batteries are more chemically stable than NMC.”
When it comes to durability, LFP batteries have more than 1,500 charge cycles and can reach 2000 if used and maintained properly. FAME II subsidy for Electric Vehicles (EVs) has proven to be beneficial in driving the adoption of electric two-wheelers and propelling the industry forward. He continued, “The government has ensured that consumers have ample time to take advantage of the subsidy, and as a result, the market experienced significant growth, particularly in the month of May. These subsidies are intended to stimulate both the industry and consumers to explore and realize the potential of EVs. Having recognised this potential and experienced the technology, the industry is now expected to effectively self-sustain. The EV industry holds tremendous promise in creating a sustainable future and is poised for continued growth.”
