Post by : Badri Ariffin

Ola Electric has firmly rejected claims suggesting its involvement in a leak of proprietary pouch cell technology from South Korea's LG Energy Solution. The company labeled these allegations as “unfounded and misleading,” emphasizing its commitment to advancing India’s first indigenous advanced cylindrical battery — the 4680 Bharat Cell.

The issue emerged following a report by a South Korean media outlet that LG Energy Solution is being investigated for purportedly transferring critical pouch-type lithium-ion battery technology to Ola Electric. This probe, coordinated by South Korea's National Intelligence Service alongside Seoul police, reportedly involves a former employee of LG.

Reportedly, the leaked information relates to an outdated pouch cell design, which Ola claims it neither develops nor utilizes. In its statement, Ola clarified that the 4680 Bharat Cell uses dry-electrode cylindrical technology, a more modern and efficient design that is already in commercial production.

Ola noted that these claims surfaced at a crucial time as its Bharat Cell production ramped up, marking a significant milestone as India’s first large-format battery cell. The company speculated that concerns over emerging competition from Indian innovations could be motivating attempts to undermine its progress.

Currently, Ola Electric has filed 720 patents, of which 124 have been granted. Its Battery Innovation Center in Bengaluru employs more than 250 experts from top global cell technology firms. Additionally, the company has launched India’s first Gigafactory, backed by an investment of ₹2,500 crore.

In October, Ola unveiled Ola Shakti, a residential energy storage system powered by its 4680 Bharat Cell. This system promises a lifespan double that of traditional batteries, along with enhanced efficiency, and is projected to generate up to ₹1,200 crore in annual revenue by FY27.

Looking ahead, Ola Electric aims to diversify into large-scale energy storage systems while boosting its total cell manufacturing capacity to 20 gigawatt-hours by the second half of FY27, solidifying India’s position in the global clean energy sector.

#Global News #Tech News