This is a great read. The Ashok Leyland–CALB deal shows why India still needs China’s expertise for batteries. There are risks, but learning from them is the fastest way to build domestic skills. Over time, India could even become cost-competitive in battery production.
Really insightful piece — especially the part on India learning battery tech “the hard way” through partnerships rather than isolation.
But the real question now is how India ensures genuine technology transfer — not just assembly rights. CALB’s entry is useful, but we must build upstream capability too: cell chemistry R&D, refining, and recycling. Otherwise, we’ll end up financing China’s scale rather than building our own.
A balanced path would be learning from China’s speed, while aligning with Japan, Korea, and Europe for diversification.
Because strategic dependence in the energy transition can be as risky as dependence in oil once was.
India’s EV dream will truly take off when we own the chemistry, not just the factory. ⚡🇮🇳
What’s your take on India’s target for ensuring energy security - I believe it’s a catch 22 situation - we need to have 500 GW of non fissile capacity - intermittency of RE required to be supported by Battery (majorly Li-Io) but India is dependent on China to meet this mission - but on the other side- have been hearing - India thinking to put tarrif barriers like solar in battery segment too.
Additionally - any thoughts of GoI’s KABIL trying to find good ample resources outside India- is India thinking of adding refining capacity.
This is a great read. The Ashok Leyland–CALB deal shows why India still needs China’s expertise for batteries. There are risks, but learning from them is the fastest way to build domestic skills. Over time, India could even become cost-competitive in battery production.
Glad you liked it :)
Really insightful piece — especially the part on India learning battery tech “the hard way” through partnerships rather than isolation.
But the real question now is how India ensures genuine technology transfer — not just assembly rights. CALB’s entry is useful, but we must build upstream capability too: cell chemistry R&D, refining, and recycling. Otherwise, we’ll end up financing China’s scale rather than building our own.
A balanced path would be learning from China’s speed, while aligning with Japan, Korea, and Europe for diversification.
Because strategic dependence in the energy transition can be as risky as dependence in oil once was.
India’s EV dream will truly take off when we own the chemistry, not just the factory. ⚡🇮🇳
What’s your take on India’s target for ensuring energy security - I believe it’s a catch 22 situation - we need to have 500 GW of non fissile capacity - intermittency of RE required to be supported by Battery (majorly Li-Io) but India is dependent on China to meet this mission - but on the other side- have been hearing - India thinking to put tarrif barriers like solar in battery segment too.
Additionally - any thoughts of GoI’s KABIL trying to find good ample resources outside India- is India thinking of adding refining capacity.