“We Can Charge E2Ws, E3Ws For 50 Km IN 20 Minutes”

This startup claims to have developed battery packs that can connect to any 15A / 3.3kW socket and charge within 20 minutes. 

The time it takes to charge an electric vehicle (EV) is considered one of the challenges hindering EV adoption in India. In light of this issue, Mrinal Sinha, Vice President at EMO Energy, stated that his company is developing the safest battery packs for 20-minute fast charging applications. 

He stated, “We have formed collaborations with Electric Vehicle Original Equipment Manufacturers (EV OEMs). Furthermore, we maintain strong partnerships with several fleet and swap operators in India. Additionally, we are actively working with charge point operators to enhance the availability of AC001 sockets across the nation.”

Additional excerpts from the conversation:

Q: Please explain what EMO Energy stands for and highlight some of its unique selling points (USPs). 

A: EMO Energy is a deep-tech battery startup based in Bangalore working towards democratising 20-minute fast charging solutions. We provide the safest battery packs designed for 20-minute fast charging applications. We are designing systems for the developing world, with a focus on enabling two and three-wheelers to charge within 20 minutes while ensuring a lifespan of five years and unmatched safety. EMO’s core principles are rooted in extensive research and development, approaching each problem through the lens of technological value.

We have developed a state-of-the-art battery pack that can connect to any 15A / 3.3kW socket and charge within 20 minutes. We aim to enable charging anywhere, anytime, allowing people to switch to electric vehicles. Thanks to the battery’s unique software and hardware, we can charge 50 km in 20 minutes for two and three-wheelers while connecting to any standard socket.

Q: Who are your customers?

 A: OEMs and fleet companies are our primary customers; given the relatively small industry, almost everyone is interconnected. 

We are actively collaborating with charge point operators, Electric Vehicle Original Equipment Manufacturers (EV OEMs), and fleet and swap operators to expand the availability of AC001 sockets across the country.

Q: When you say “safest batteries,” how do you ensure the quality and safety of your electric vehicle batteries in the manufacturing process? 

A: Our primary focus is establishing a Digital Industry 4.0 setup for battery production. We employ a semi-automated assembly process that strongly emphasises enhancing quality at every stage. Cell wire bonding, automated cell sorting, and pack testing have been integrated. 

The entire assembly line is interconnected with a computer system that conducts multiple checks at each stage. We strategically utilise robots and skilled personnel for critical processes and inspections to maintain Six Sigma-level quality. Additionally, our team has previously constructed assembly lines for companies like Rivian, Ola, and Ather, providing us extensive global experience in battery assembly processes.

Q: Can you share some examples of successful partnerships with EV manufacturers that have resulted in notable advancements in electric vehicle technology? 

A: We collaborate with Electric Vehicle (EV) Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and collaborate closely with fleet and swap operators. This collaboration empowers us to provide Electric Mobility Operator (EMO)-enabled vehicles to end customers in the delivery segment.

These vehicles are equipped with EMO batteries that can fast charge up to 60 km at any 15A socket in just 20 minutes. Furthermore, we are partnering with charge point operators to expand the availability of AC001 sockets across the country. A strategic collaboration with the government to promote the adoption of AC001 sockets will be instrumental in driving the industry’s transition to being over 80% electric by 2030.

Q: What steps is your company taking to address concerns about the environmental impact of battery production and disposal? 

A: As a Li-ion battery pack manufacturer, we take several steps to minimise our environmental impact. We choose eco-friendly and sustainable materials, and our entire goal at EMO is to enable a Net Zero future. Our vision involves establishing a complete circular economy through our software platform, which monitors the entire battery life cycle, from creation to recycling to reuse. 

We utilise a health software platform to extend the life of batteries in their first usage in mobility. Subsequently, we collaborate with inverter and energy storage companies to provide them with batteries for a second life, allowing our batteries to be used for almost 10 years. At the end of this cycle, we disassemble all the cells. Our packs are designed to be extremely serviceable and easy to break down to the cell level.

These disassembled cells are then supplied to various existing extractors, converting all the cells into a black mass. The materials extracted from this process are then provided to the cell companies we work with, enabling them to build cells for our battery packs.

Q: The electric vehicle market is rapidly evolving. How does your company stay ahead of the competition regarding innovation and technological advancements? 

A: We develop systems that are more advanced and built to the realities of our environment. The founding team and the rest of the company are focused on developing the most optimal technology in terms of performance-to-cost ratio, allowing massive scale and adoption. We have a cumulative 40 years of experience in the industry and have people who have previously been responsible for systems at Tesla, Rivian, Ola, Sun, Ather, and Log9.

Q: How do you see the EV ecosystem evolving in India? 

A: The Indian EV ecosystem is heading in the right direction, and I believe India will become one of the most prominent players in terms of EV adoption. Moreover, India will become a hub for innovation in EV technologies, starting with producing vehicles for global consumption. 

The next five years are critical for EVs, and the industry must figure out ways to achieve self-sustainability through innovation, aiming to become price-competitive. I also believe that two-wheelers and three-wheelers sales will account for over 50% of total sales.

Q: How do you view the impact of government policies, both at the state and central levels, in stimulating the demand for electric vehicles? 

A: In my opinion, government policy incubation is critical for any emerging industry, and the electric vehicle (EV) industry, in particular, presents unique challenges in terms of business operations. I also believe that subsidies may not be the most effective approach to drive adoption. Instead, the government should focus on developing mechanisms that create a conducive environment for adoption.

Q: How ready is India to be “Aatmanirbhar” (self-reliant) in the EV eco-space? 

A: This is certainly one area where India is making significant progress. While we may not be at 100% self-reliance yet, it’s akin to a ‘Work in Progress.’ With the right steps, we can achieve self-reliance (‘Aatmanirbhar’) in the next five to seven years.

Q: What are India’s lowest-hanging fruits to be “Aatmanirbhar,” as per you? 

A: The government’s support will play the most important role in this industry’s growth through policies and a strong push for adoption in government applications. The government must promote standardised charging systems that they have already implemented, such as AC001 and DC002.

These standards should be widely implemented and pushed to encourage OEMs to adopt and build to these standards. High-power charging may not be India’s direction; standard socket-based charging is the answer. The two and three-wheeler sector, which has long been dominated by Japanese technology, stands to witness a massive revolution as India can lead in electric technology. We can build companies within India that uniquely address India’s charging and battery problems for the two/three-wheeler sector. This model can then be expanded to the rest of the developing world from India so as to establish global EV dominance.