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www.newsindiatimes.com – that’s all you need to know Disclaimer:The views and opinions expressed on this page are those of the authors and Parikh Worldwide Media does not officially endorse, and is not responsible or liable for them. Commentary: In Ola’s Battery Efforts, A Shift In Indian Innovation W hen I visited Ola Electric’s Battery Innovation Centre in Bengaluru, I expected a modest setup, a typical R&D lab focused on incre- mental improvements. What I encountered instead was a full-scale effort to reimagine and industrialise one of the most complex and strategi- cally important technologies of our time — the lithium- ion cell. Nearly 500 researchers were at work, many with experience in labs and companies across South Korea, Japan, Germany, and the US. They weren’t tweaking specs on imported components; they were building a new type of battery from the ground up. At the center of this effort is the 4,680-format cylin- drical cell, a design originally popularised by Tesla. This format is known for higher energy density, improved thermal management, and structural integration in electric vehicles (EVs). But Ola has taken a riskier path by developing its own version using dry electrode manu- facturing, a technique that avoids the toxic solvents and energy-hungry ovens of conventional production. Rather than coating materials in wet slurry, Ola’s method presses a dry mix directly onto the current collector. It is faster, cleaner, and more energy-efficient, eliminating solvent recovery systems, improving consistency, and lowering costs. The company says it has spent three years building this capability from scratch and has achieved consistent, high-volume production for both cathodes and anodes. While companies in China, Korea, and the US are still struggling to scale this technology, Ola claims it has already made it work at volume. The performance specs are bold: Over 275Wh/kg energy density, more than 2,000 charge-discharge cycles, and strong thermal stability. Most striking is the charging speed, from 20% to 80% in just 15 minutes — enough for a 60% top-up during a short break. These cells are already being produced at pilot scale and are now being trans- ferred to Ola’s Gigafactory in Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu. The first 5 GWh phase is operational, with plans to scale to 20 GWh and eventually 100 GWh. That would put Ola among the largest battery manufacturers in the world. Particularly impressive is Ola’s goal to own the full stack of intellectual property. Most Indian firms rely on Chinese licences and imported tools. Ola is doing the op- posite by developing its own cell chemistries, production equipment, and control software. This is part of a broader strategy it calls “India Inside,” a push to reduce depen- dency while creating export-ready innovation. That is easier said than done, but the company has filed over 250 patents and is running rapid development loops between its R&D lab and factory floor. The tight integration allows breakthroughs to move quickly from prototype to real- world deployment. Bhavish Aggarwal, Ola’s founder, has drawn plenty of criticism. The company’s electric scooters have faced reliability issues, and Aggarwal’s online persona has often added fuel to the fire. Customers have complained about buggy software, missed deliveries, and inadequate service. These are real challenges, but also common ones for startups racing to scale frontier tech. I remember the early days of Tesla. I was one of the first buyers of the Model S. The car looked like the future, but the door handles failed, the software was faulty, the service network was overwhelmed, and Elon Musk con- sistently over-promised. My Tesla even crashed into my garage while on autopilot. Yet behind all the drama, real innovation was underway in battery chemistry, manu- facturing, and software. Today, Tesla leads the global EV market. What Ola is attempting is no less ambitious, despite the constraints. It is building not just a vehicle company, but a battery-technology platform inside an ecosystem that has historically lacked the infrastructure and incen- tives to support deep tech. That alone deserves recogni- tion. Globally, the stakes are rising. While theWest is still focused on Tesla, the scale story now lies in China. Chinese companies produce over 90% of the world’s lithium-ion cells and export low-cost EVs at a staggering pace, supported by vertically integrated, State-subsidised supply chains. But safety concerns are endemic. Recalls are common, batteries often underperform in real-world conditions, and reports of fires — from scooters to buses — have become routine. The aggressive drive for volume has left quality an afterthought, with deadly consequenc- es. This creates an opportunity for India, if it can deliver products that combine affordability with reliability and safety. Ola’s battery programme is a promising first step. What is unfolding in Bangalore is serious engineering work aimed at solving a global problem in a distinctly Indian way. If Ola succeeds, the impact will go well beyond scoot- ers or cars. These batteries could power grid storage systems, industrial equipment, drones, and even electric aircraft. India could become a serious player in global energy storage, an industry central to everything from cli- mate resilience to national security. That kind of platform power is rare, and it is worth pursuing. India has long led in software and services, but its record in industrial technology and applied science has lagged. That is beginning to shift. A wave of deep tech ambition is rising, focused on leapfrogging rather than imitation. Companies like Ola, powered by Indian talent but thinking globally, are showing that India is poised not just to join the energy revolution, but to lead it — and to set safety, reliability, and innovation stan- dards that China has repeatedly failed to meet. Vivek Wadhwa is CEO, Vionix Biosciences. The views expressed are personal. ByVivekWadhwa Construction inputs like cement have been cut from 28 percent to 18 percent, reducing costs for housing and in- frastructure, while materials like granite, particle boards, and wooden pallets have also seen reductions, easing the burden on small builders and the construction industry. The reform is not just about rate cuts but about fixing long-standing structural issues. Inverted duty structures, which trapped working capital and hurt MSMEs, are being corrected. A new technology-driven GST registra- tion scheme ensures approval within three days for 96 percent of low-risk applicants, cutting red tape for small businesses and startups. Exporters, who previously faced months-long delays in receiving refunds, will now be reimbursed within seven days under a new enhanced mechanism. The introduction of E-Way Bill 2.0 with real-time synchronization guarantees zero downtime for logistics operators, strengthening India’s digital backbone for trade and transport. Politically, the reforms showcase the Modi govern- ment’s ability to build consensus. Despite diverse politi- cal and fiscal interests, the GST Council unanimously backed the new framework, a true reflection of coopera- tive federalism in action. Economically, it demonstrates the maturity of India’s institutions to create a predictable, simple, and globally competitive tax system. Socially, it underscores the government’s faith in people-led growth, where every rupee saved in household budgets can fuel national prosperity. FromVajpayee ji’s pioneering idea in 2000 to Prime Minister Modi’s historic rollout in 2017 and now this bold rationalization in 2025, GST embodies India’s journey of economic integration. It is the story of moving from a fragmented tax system to a unified and modern regime aligned with the dream of Viksit Bharat, a developed India. The Next-Gen GST is not just about simplifying tax rates, it is about reducing household burdens, spurring industry, encouraging MSMEs, empowering farmers, and making healthcare affordable. It is about stability, pre- dictability, and fairness in taxation. Above all, it is about building a nation where growth and prosperity are shared by all citizens. These reforms will be remembered as a landmark in India’s economic journey. They consolidate eight years of progress, double down on citizen welfare, and set the foundation for a stronger, more resilient economy. By simplifying processes, reducing compliance burdens, and easing the cost of living, the Modi government has once again placed the common man at the heart of reform. The Next- Gen GST is not merely a fiscal reset but a historic step that will leave behind a lasting legacy of affordability, inclusivity, and prosperity for generations to come. The author is the National Gen- eral Secretary of Bharatiya Janata Party. Commentary: PMModi’s ‘Next-Gen’ GST:ANewDawn For India’s Economy - Continued From Page 3 News India Times (September 13, 2025 - September 19, 2025) September 19, 2025 4 Opinion PHOTO:provided PHOTO:CourtesyVivekWadhwa