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Time of India
30-06-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Can sodium-ion batteries power the next wave of clean trucking?
While battery technologies like sodium-ion have garnered attention for all the right reasons, one segment that stands to benefit significantly is the heavy-duty trucking and logistics sector. As the world pushes for cleaner alternatives, sodium-ion batteries could be pivotal in moving the sector away from conventional fuels. Currently, sodium-ion batteries are largely deployed for stationary energy storage and are undergoing trials for electric trucks in countries such as China. Why Sodium-Ion Makes Sense for Heavy Trucks Experts highlight a range of benefits sodium-ion batteries offer for commercial applications. Apart from their potential cost savings, the sodium-ion batteries offer much higher resistance to temperature, maintaining 90per cent of its available power at -40 degrees Celsius. This makes them ideal for trucks operating in extreme weather conditions where traditional lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries often falter. Moreover, aggressive braking and acceleration, which are common in trucking operations, place additional stress on EV motors and accelerate battery drain. Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs), with their ability to hold energy more steadily, are less prone to such sudden performance drops, say experts. Rajat Mahajan , Partner and Automotive sector leader, Deloitte India and Anish Mandal, Partner, Deloitte India, shares, 'With recent advancements in energy density, sodium-ion batteries can offer travel ranges like typical LFP batteries at a lower cost, making nearly all commercial applications more affordable.' They add, 'Any reduction in an electric fleet's capital costs would mean higher rates of adoption, with a wider range of feasible use cases and routes.' On the safety front, sodium-ion batteries offer two significant advantages. Firstly, some sodium-ion variants use electrolytes that are less flammable than those in lithium-ion counterparts, thereby reducing fire risks. Secondly, these batteries can be stored and transported at 0per cent state-of-charge with less degradation, while lithium-ion batteries must maintain a minimum charge in order to ensure longevity. This makes transporting sodium-ion batteries much safer. According to S&P Global's estimates sodium-ion batteries can eventually achieve up to 28per cent lower material costs compared to lithium-ion. While the current costs remain higher due to the lithium-ion supply chain being far larger and more developed with leading players having vertically integrated supply chain. Few large global players are working on sodium-ion batteries and its application on heavy duty trucks. 'We are yet to see any commercial deployment though,' says Mahajan and Mandal. India's Moment in Sodium-ion Battery R&D Speaking to ETAuto, Abhinanda Sengupta, a researcher from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay and winner of KPIT Shodh Awards 2025 for her thesis - Mechanistic Insights of Heteroatom-doped Layered Oxide Cathode Materials for Next-gen Na-ion Batteries, believes sodium-ion has strong potential for grid storage, heavy-load trucks, and submarines. 'Sodium is far more abundant than lithium, giving India a significant opportunity to lead in the research and development of this technology,' she notes. She also highlights sodium-ion's higher cycle life and more sustainable supply chain compared to lithium-based alternatives. Some players claim that their second-generation sodium-ion batteries, have achieved an energy density of 175 Wh/kg, bringing them at par with most LFP batteries on the market. 'They claim to provide a 5C rate of charging, reaching from 30per cent to 80per cent charge in ten minutes, and a lifetime of more than 10,000 cycles' share Mahajan and Mandal. However, the advancements in LFP batteries continue to increase the gap in energy density. Few players claim cell-level densities of LFPs to be around 205 Wh/kg and a super-fast charging rate of 12C (Second generation). 'NMC batteries, while more expensive, can already reach densities greater than 300 Wh/kg. With these developments, lithium-ion batteries will continue to have higher travel ranges than sodium ion,' they share. Recently, a research team at the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) developed a super-fast charging sodium-ion battery (SIB) based on a NASICON-type cathode and anode material. Led by scientists Prof. Premkumar Senguttuvan and Ph.D. scholar Biplab Patra, the SIBs can charge up to 80per cent in just six minutes and last over 3000 charge cycles. The breakthrough technology blends advanced chemistry and nanotechnology, allowing sodium-ions to move faster and more safely, enabling both speed and durability unlike the conventional SIBs that suffer from sluggish charging and short lifespan. OEMs Weigh In: The Volvo Perspective Sven Wallstrom , VP – Truck Alliances, Volvo Group Trucks Technology , shares at the sidelines of the recent ETAutoTech Summit 2025, 'Development of battery technologies is critical. We are working closely across the supply chain to identify the right battery technology that is not just safe but also efficient for future. We are setting up a battery plant in Sweden that speaks of our continued commitment.' Reflecting that battery technologies might not be the best solution for all kinds of applications, he says, 'For long-haul missions, fuel cells could be a good solution.' In addition to, green hydrogen tech is another promising mobility solution for the future. 'We need to develop hydrogen storage, development and usage in the industry. It is a better technology and much more sustainable as against BEVs that need expensive technology and space as well.' By 2040, Wallstrom envisions the truck market to be 80per cent electrified, with a mix of battery-electric and fuel-cell technologies. The remaining 20per cent will include hydrogen, LNG, and ICE-based solutions. On the Indian market, he stresses the importance of government incentives to accelerate the shift to cleaner technologies. 'With growing infrastructure and high-speed highways, India is primed for transformation. Incentivising clean transport can replace the aging, high-emission fleets still in operation today.' Addressing the EV Truck Weight Penalty Sanjeev Kulkarni, CEO, BillionE, highlights on another critical aspect of slow acceptance of EVs in the trucking world and logistics sector. He shares that the EV trucks face a weight penalty of around 2 tonnes on an EV prime of 55 tonnes with a battery pack of 300 kilowatts, impacting payload capacity and making them less competitive than diesel counterparts. 'We have recommended to the government that EVs be allowed additional payload allowances based on battery size,' he says. 'This could make the transition economically viable.' Kulkarni also agrees that aggressive driving behaviour affects range and supply chain reliability. 'The industry must innovate not just for safety, but for end-to-end efficiency across performance, payload, and cost.' According to experts, some of the challenges sodium-ion batteries may face include their inherently higher weight compared to lithium batteries, limited flexibility in being moulded into various shapes, and a still-developing supply chain.
Hindustan Times
09-06-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Motown India seeks govt intervention as rare earth deadlock deepens
China controls over 90 per cent of global processing capacity for the magnets, used across multiple sectors, including automobiles. Notify me The automobile industry has sought government support in expediting approvals from the Chinese government for importing rare earth magnets used in various applications, including passenger cars. As per the industry sources, various domestic suppliers have already sought approval from the Chinese government through their local vendors in China. However, no approvals have been granted so far, sources said. China controls over 90 per cent of global processing capacity for the magnets, used across multiple sectors including automobiles, home appliances and clean energy. The Chinese government has put restrictions, with effect from April 4, mandating special export licences for seven rare earth elements and related magnets. In Japan, Suzuki Motor has already suspended production of its Swift car because of China's curbs. Last week, Maruti Suzuki India Senior Executive Officer (Corporate Affairs) Rahul Bharti said China has asked for an end-user certificate, endorsed by the Indian government and approved by the Chinese government. "So that process is on and industry is in discussion with the government," he stated. Deloitte India Partner and Automotive Sector Leader Rajat Mahajan noted that the shortage is a major supply chain disruption, especially for EVs, as rare earth metals are used extensively in the electric moto,r which is a core component. Rare earth magnets have high magnetic energy storage capacity with low coercivity at high operating temperatures. "This has been an R&D topic for the automotive industry for a long time, but till now other magnetic materials have not seen large-scale commercial usage in applications like EV," he noted. Also, there are not enough rare earth magnets to recycle at this point in time to satisfy the EV volumes, Mahajan said. It will not be easy for OEMs to suddenly change course on powertrain as well as on alternate material. "This situation will hopefully get resolved via diplomatic channels, but if it continues, then we may see a shift towards powertrains for large OEMs," he said. Icra Senior Vice President & Co-Group Head Corporate Ratings Srikumar Krishnamurthy noted that rare earth magnets are used for multiple applications in EVs - electric motors, regenerative braking systems, power steering etc. Given that China accounts for around 90 per cent of the overall supply for rare earth magnets, the curb on export of the same by China can have material implications for the EV industry, he added. "The implications could include inflationary pressures (led by higher cost for rare earth magnets against the backdrop of shortage) or even disruption in production schedules in the absence of a seamless supply of the same," Krishnamurthy stated. While OEMs are evaluating options to reduce dependence on the supply of rare earth magnets, finding immediate alternatives is going to be challenging, he said. The critical materials include samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium and lutetium, which are essential in electric motors, braking systems, smartphones and missile technology. Get insights into Upcoming Cars In India, Electric Vehicles, Upcoming Bikes in India and cutting-edge technology transforming the automotive landscape. First Published Date: 09 Jun 2025, 06:45 AM IST
Time of India
09-06-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
China tightens supply: India's auto industry seeks govt help on rare earth magnet imports; key EV parts impacted
The Indian automobile industry has urged the government to step in and help fast-track pending approvals from Chinese authorities for importing rare earth magnets —key components used in electric motors and various car applications. According to PTI, industry sources revealed that, several Indian suppliers have applied for approvals through their local partners in China. But no permissions have been granted so far. China processes over 90% of the world's rare earth magnets , which are widely used in parts like speedometers, electric motors, e-axles, electric water pumps, automatic transmission kits, speakers, sensors, and engine ignition coils. Since April 4, the Chinese government has imposed restrictions requiring special export licences for seven rare earth elements and related magnets. In Japan, Suzuki Motor halted Swift production due to these restrictions. Earlier last week, Maruti Suzuki India's Senior Executive Officer, Rahul Bharti, said that China has requested an end-user certificate, which must be endorsed by the Indian government and approved by the Chinese authorities. "So that process is on and industry is in discussion with the government," he added. Deloitte India's Automotive Sector Leader Rajat Mahajan highlights this shortage as a significant supply chain disruption , particularly affecting EVs. These magnets possess high magnetic energy storage capacity with low coercivity at elevated operating temperatures. "This has been an R&D topic for the automotive industry for a long time but till now other magnetic materials have not seen large scale commercial usage in applications like EV," he continued. There aren't enough rare earth magnets available for recycling to meet current EV production demands, said Mahajan, adding that it's not easy for automakers to quickly shift to different powertrains or alternative materials. "This situation will hopefully get resolved via diplomatic channels, but if it continues then we may see a shift towards powertrains for large OEMs," he further noted. Icra's senior vice president and co-group head for Corporate Ratings, Srikumar Krishnamurthy, explained that rare earth magnets are essential in several EV components like electric motors, regenerative braking systems, and power steering. Since China supplies around 90% of the world's rare earth magnets, its recent export restrictions could significantly impact the EV industry. This might lead to higher prices due to shortages and even disrupt production schedules. "The implications could include inflationary pressures (led by higher cost for rare earth magnets against the backdrop of shortage) or even disruption in production schedules in absence of a seamless supply of the same," Krishnamurthy added. While carmakers are exploring ways to cut reliance on Chinese supplies, finding immediate alternatives remains difficult. These rare earth materials include critical elements such as samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, and lutetium—used not only in EVs but also in smartphones and missile technology.
Time of India
08-06-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
China tightens supply: India's auto industry seeks govt help on rare earth magnet imports; key EV parts impacted
NEW DELHI: The Indian automobile industry has urged the government to step in and help fast-track pending approvals from Chinese authorities for importing rare earth magnets—key components used in electric motors and various car applications. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now According to PTI, industry sources revealed that, several Indian suppliers have applied for approvals through their local partners in China. But no permissions have been granted so far. China processes over 90% of the world's rare earth magnets, which are widely used in parts like speedometers, electric motors, e-axles, electric water pumps, automatic transmission kits, speakers, sensors, and engine ignition coils. Since April 4, the Chinese government has imposed restrictions requiring special export licences for seven rare earth elements and related magnets. In Japan, Suzuki Motor halted Swift production due to these restrictions. Earlier last week, India's Senior Executive Officer, Rahul Bharti, said that China has requested an end-user certificate, which must be endorsed by the Indian government and approved by the Chinese authorities. "So that process is on and industry is in discussion with the government," he added. Deloitte India's Automotive Sector Leader Rajat Mahajan highlights this shortage as a significant supply chain disruption, particularly affecting EVs. These magnets possess high magnetic energy storage capacity with low coercivity at elevated operating temperatures. "This has been an R&D topic for the automotive industry for a long time but till now other magnetic materials have not seen large scale commercial usage in applications like EV," he continued. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now There aren't enough rare earth magnets available for recycling to meet current EV production demands, said Mahajan, adding that it's not easy for automakers to quickly shift to different powertrains or alternative materials. "This situation will hopefully get resolved via diplomatic channels, but if it continues then we may see a shift towards powertrains for large OEMs," he further noted. Icra's senior vice president and co-group head for Corporate Ratings, Srikumar Krishnamurthy, explained that rare earth magnets are essential in several EV components like electric motors, regenerative braking systems, and power steering. Since China supplies around 90% of the world's rare earth magnets, its recent export restrictions could significantly impact the EV industry. This might lead to higher prices due to shortages and even disrupt production schedules. "The implications could include inflationary pressures (led by higher cost for rare earth magnets against the backdrop of shortage) or even disruption in production schedules in absence of a seamless supply of the same," Krishnamurthy added. While carmakers are exploring ways to cut reliance on Chinese supplies, finding immediate alternatives remains difficult. These rare earth materials include critical elements such as samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, and lutetium—used not only in EVs but also in smartphones and missile technology.
Time of India
08-06-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Urgency grows in Motown India as rare earth deadlock deepens, call goes out to govt for help
The Indian automobile industry is facing a significant challenge due to recent restrictions imposed by the Chinese government on the export of rare earth magnets. These magnets are critical components in many applications, including passenger vehicles and electric vehicles (EVs). Suppliers have been attempting to secure approvals from China through local vendors, but no approvals have been granted thus far, news agency PTI reported on June 8 citing industry sources. China is a dominant player in the rare earth magnet market, controlling over 90 per cent of the global processing capacity. The Chinese government implemented new regulations on April 4, requiring special export licences for seven rare earth elements and related magnets. This decision has already impacted manufacturers beyond India; for instance, Suzuki Motor in Japan has halted production of its Swift model due to these curbs. Industry response In response to the situation, Maruti Suzuki India's Senior Executive Officer, Rahul Bharti, indicated that China is now requiring an end-user certificate, which must be endorsed by the Indian government. He stated, 'So that process is on and industry is in discussion with the government.' Experts in the automotive sector are expressing growing concern about the repercussions of this supply chain disruption. Rajat Mahajan, a Deloitte India Partner, highlighted the significance of rare earth metals in electric motors, noting that the shortage poses a serious risk to the production of EVs. He said, 'This has been an R&D topic for the automotive industry for a long time but till now other magnetic materials have not seen large scale commercial usage in applications like EV .' Potential implications The implications of these export restrictions could be substantial. Srikumar Krishnamurthy, Senior Vice President at ICRA , pointed out that rare earth magnets are essential for multiple functionalities in EVs, including electric motors and regenerative braking systems. He warned that continued restrictions could lead to 'inflationary pressures' and disrupt production schedules if a steady supply of these materials is not established. As the industry evaluates alternatives to reduce reliance on rare earth magnets, experts caution that finding immediate substitutes will prove challenging. The critical materials involved include samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, and lutetium, all of which are vital not only in automotive applications but also in other technologies such as smartphones and missile systems. While industry leaders are hopeful for a resolution through diplomatic channels, the urgency of the situation cannot be overstated, PTI's report said. As the automobile sector continues to grapple with these challenges, the need for government intervention and support has never been more critical, it added.
