Hindalco delivers 10,000 EV battery enclosures to Mahindra from new Chakan facility
Hindalco EV Battery Enclosures: 10,000 Units Delivered to Mahindra from New Chakan Facility
The metals flagship of the Aditya Birla Group, Hindalco Industries Ltd, has achieved a significant milestone in India’s electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing ecosystem with the delivery of 10,000 Hindalco EV battery enclosures to Mahindra. The aluminium battery enclosures, produced at Hindalco‘s newly unveiled manufacturing facility in Chakan, Pune, will be used in Mahindra’s BE 6 and XEV 9e electric SUVs, the company announced today.
Hindalco’s aluminium EV battery enclosures offer up to 40% weight reduction compared to traditional steel designs, improving vehicle range by 8-10%.
Table of Contents
- Hindalco EV Battery Enclosures: Chakan Facility Details
- Technical Advantages of Aluminium Battery Enclosures
- Hindalco-Mahindra Partnership for EV Components
- Employment Generation and ‘Make in India’ Alignment
- Future Expansion Plans for Hindalco EV Components
- Market Impact and EV Value Chain Development
Hindalco EV Battery Enclosures: Chakan Facility Details
The state-of-the-art facility dedicated to manufacturing Hindalco EV battery enclosures represents a significant ₹500-crore investment by the company. Spread across 5 acres in Chakan, Pune, the facility marks Hindalco‘s strategic entry into the rapidly growing electric vehicle component sector in India.
Currently, the facility has the capacity to produce 80,000 Hindalco EV battery enclosures annually, with ambitious plans already in place to double production to 160,000 units as demand increases. The company’s substantial investment demonstrates Hindalco‘s commitment to becoming a key player in India’s emerging EV supply chain.
The Hindalco EV battery enclosures manufacturing facility utilizes advanced production techniques and quality control measures to ensure the components meet the exacting safety and performance standards required for electric vehicle applications. The facility’s location in Pune’s automotive manufacturing hub provides strategic advantages for supply chain integration and logistics.
Technical Advantages of Aluminium Battery Enclosures
According to Hindalco‘s Managing Director Satish Pai, the Hindalco EV battery enclosures offer significant technical advantages over traditional steel designs. The aluminium construction provides up to 40% weight reduction compared to steel alternatives, directly contributing to improved vehicle efficiency and performance.
This weight reduction from using Hindalco EV battery enclosures translates to an impressive 8-10% improvement in vehicle range – a critical factor for consumer adoption of electric vehicles in the Indian market. The lightweight yet strong enclosures help address one of the primary concerns for potential EV buyers: range anxiety.
Beyond weight and range benefits, the Hindalco EV battery enclosures also enhance crash safety and thermal management – two crucial aspects of EV battery design. Aluminium’s superior energy absorption properties help protect the battery cells during impact events, while its excellent thermal conductivity assists in maintaining optimal battery temperatures during both charging and discharging cycles.
Feature | Hindalco Aluminium Enclosures | Traditional Steel Enclosures |
---|---|---|
Weight | Up to 40% lighter | Heavier construction |
Vehicle Range Impact | 8-10% improvement | Baseline reference |
Thermal Conductivity | Superior heat dissipation | Lower thermal efficiency |
Crash Energy Absorption | Enhanced protection | Standard protection |
Corrosion Resistance | Naturally resistant | Requires additional treatments |
Recyclability | Highly recyclable | Recyclable with more processing |
Critical EV Battery Enclosure Requirements
The Hindalco EV battery enclosures address several critical requirements for electric vehicle manufacturers:
- Weight Reduction: Lighter vehicles require less energy to move, directly improving range
- Structural Integrity: Must protect expensive and potentially hazardous battery cells during accidents
- Thermal Management: Efficient heat dissipation prevents battery degradation and thermal runaway
- Electromagnetic Shielding: Protects vehicle electronics from interference generated by high-current battery systems
- Environmental Resistance: Must withstand road debris, moisture, and temperature variations
Hindalco-Mahindra Partnership for EV Components
The delivery of 10,000 Hindalco EV battery enclosures to Mahindra represents a significant milestone in the partnership between these two Indian industrial powerhouses. The components will be used specifically in Mahindra’s BE 6 and XEV 9e electric SUVs, positioning both companies at the forefront of India’s electric mobility revolution.
Hindalco revealed that over 3,000 Mahindra EVs using these aluminium battery packs are already on Indian roads, providing real-world validation of the technology’s performance and reliability. This early deployment demonstrates both companies’ confidence in the Hindalco EV battery enclosures and their commitment to accelerating EV adoption in India.
The collaboration between Hindalco and Mahindra showcases how Indian companies are developing domestic supply chains for critical EV components, reducing dependence on imports and building technological expertise within the country. The partnership aligns with India’s automotive industry transition toward electric mobility while leveraging local manufacturing capabilities.
Strategic Benefits of the Partnership
The collaboration to produce Hindalco EV battery enclosures for Mahindra offers numerous strategic advantages:
- Creates a reliable domestic supply chain for critical EV components
- Reduces dependence on imported battery enclosures and materials
- Enables customization to meet specific requirements of Indian driving conditions
- Accelerates technology development through collaborative engineering
- Positions both companies advantageously in India’s growing EV market
Employment Generation and ‘Make in India’ Alignment
The Hindalco EV battery enclosures facility in Chakan employs a nearly all-woman workforce as machine operators, reflecting the company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion in manufacturing. This approach not only addresses gender imbalances in the industrial sector but also taps into a skilled workforce segment that has been historically underrepresented in manufacturing.
At full capacity, the Hindalco facility is expected to generate up to 1,000 jobs, making a significant contribution to local employment and skill development. These positions span various roles from production operations to quality control, maintenance, and logistics, creating diverse employment opportunities in the automotive component manufacturing sector.
The Hindalco EV battery enclosures project strongly aligns with the government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, which aims to transform India into a global manufacturing hub. By establishing advanced manufacturing capabilities for critical EV components domestically, Hindalco is contributing to reduced imports, increased local value addition, and the development of India’s manufacturing ecosystem.
Social and Economic Impact
The Hindalco EV battery enclosures facility delivers multiple socioeconomic benefits:
- Creates employment opportunities with a focus on gender diversity
- Develops specialized skills relevant to future manufacturing needs
- Strengthens the local automotive component manufacturing ecosystem
- Contributes to reduced trade deficits through import substitution
- Demonstrates the viability of high-tech manufacturing in India
Future Expansion Plans for Hindalco EV Components
Hindalco has indicated ambitious plans to expand beyond its current production of Hindalco EV battery enclosures. The company aims to broaden its capabilities to serve other Indian and global Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), positioning itself as a preferred supplier for lightweight aluminium components in the automotive sector.
The expansion strategy for Hindalco EV battery enclosures includes not only scaling up production volume but also diversifying the product portfolio. The company plans to offer aluminium components for both electric and internal combustion engine vehicles, maximizing market opportunities while the EV sector continues to grow.
This forward-looking approach demonstrates Hindalco‘s confidence in the growth potential of India’s EV market and the increasing demand for lightweight, high-performance components. By establishing early leadership in Hindalco EV battery enclosures, the company is building the expertise and manufacturing capabilities needed to capitalize on the automotive industry’s transition toward electrification.
Strategic Expansion Priorities
Hindalco is focusing on several key areas for future growth in the EV component sector:
- Doubling production capacity for Hindalco EV battery enclosures to 160,000 units
- Expanding customer base beyond Mahindra to other domestic and international OEMs
- Diversifying product portfolio to include other aluminium components for EVs
- Enhancing technological capabilities through R&D and strategic partnerships
- Scaling manufacturing excellence to maintain quality while increasing volume
Market Impact and EV Value Chain Development
The shares of Hindalco Industries were trading at ₹623 on the NSE today at 1:20 PM, down by ₹5.35 or 0.85 percent. Despite the slight dip, the company’s strategic move into Hindalco EV battery enclosures positions it advantageously in a high-growth segment with significant future potential.
The development of domestic manufacturing capabilities for Hindalco EV battery enclosures represents a critical step in establishing a robust EV value chain in India. As the country pushes toward increased electric vehicle adoption through policies like FAME II and the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, local component manufacturing becomes increasingly important for cost competitiveness and supply chain resilience.
Hindalco‘s entry into this specialized segment demonstrates how traditional industrial players can successfully pivot toward emerging technologies and markets. The company’s expertise in aluminium processing provides a natural advantage in developing lightweight Hindalco EV battery enclosures, illustrating how existing capabilities can be leveraged for new growth opportunities in the green economy.
As India’s EV market continues to develop, companies like Hindalco that establish early leadership in critical components will be well-positioned to capture market share and influence industry standards. The Hindalco EV battery enclosures project exemplifies how domestic manufacturing can support India’s ambitions to become a global hub for electric vehicle production while reducing dependence on imports for key components.
Published on April 25, 2025 | Updated on April 26, 2025