KPIT Technologies has introduced a groundbreaking sodium-ion battery technology, marking a country-first achievement. The in-house development by the company's researchers over the past eight years will undergo external testing, with anticipated revenue generation within a year, according to Ravi Pandit, the co-founder and chairman of the city-based firm.

According to Ravi Pandit, he mentioned that while there will be some revenues generated during the testing phase, the primary source of income from the technology, in the form of core licensing fees, is expected to commence within a year. Pandit also emphasized that KPIT's fundamental business, centered around offering software-based solutions to the automotive industry, will remain the primary driver of revenue in the foreseeable future.

He said the company hired electrochemists for the project, which is a departure from employing software engineers that has been the norm for them. It tested a slew of chemistries before narrowing down on the more widely available sodium, Pandit said, adding that the use of the compound also delivers other advantages. These include the ability to charge a vehicle for shorter trips in less than half an hour, thus making it more cost-effective and also more remunerative for the driver as more trips can be undertaken on the same vehicle in a day.

The overall cost of the battery will be up to 30 percent lower than the present alternatives, and the company is in talks with both existing auto industry clients as well as those interested in other applications of energy storage, Pandit said. With the conventional lithium-ion or lead-acid batteries that are used in EVs reporting a slew of accidents, Pandit claimed the sodium-ion-based technology developed by the company is safer.

During the development stage, the technology underwent internal testing within a smaller group. In the upcoming phase, lasting approximately 6-9 months, the technology will be tested on specific external vehicles, as stated by Pandit. Following this phase, it is set to transition into full commercialization. Pandit asserted that KPIT holds the distinction of being the first company in India to unveil this technology and is only the fourth globally to possess a proven solution for sodium-ion battery storage.

According to the head of the company, they plan to reduce their dependence on imported batteries and are confident that they will be able to form partnerships with local firms. The production of batteries can also be eligible for the government's production-linked incentive scheme, and there is a proposal to provide up to 40% subsidy on investments for the establishment of capacities for alternate chemistries. This will aid in promoting the use of indigenous technology. Additionally, the company also plans to market its technology in export markets, with Europe and East Asia considered the biggest opportunities.