Pune Inc: This startup is building a ‘100% safe’ sodium-ion battery using Indian raw materials
Indian Express·7h ago·Hope
What Happened
Rechargion, a Pune-based startup founded in 2021, is developing sodium-ion batteries using Indian raw materials to reduce lithium dependency. Led by physicists Dr Vilas Shelke and Dr Manjusha Shelke, the company produces 20 Ah capacity cells tested by automotive authorities. Sodium-ion batteries offer 100% safety and longer lifespan than lithium alternatives, though heavier. The startup received Rs 7 crore in government funding and targets two-wheeler and three-wheeler markets initially.
Key Entities
RechargionDr Vilas ShelkeDr Manjusha ShelkeCSIR-National Chemical LaboratoryPuneMinistry of Heavy Industrysodium-ion batterieslithium-ion batteriesAutomotive Research Association of India