The Niti Aayog is working out a policy roadmap for use of alternate technologies for fuel cells to power future vehicles in the country. The aim is to reduce dependence on China, which controls 80% of global reserves for lithium, reduce cost and make India self-reliant in battery technology.

The Aayog has begun deliberations on sodium ion batteries, aluminium air batteries and zinc air batteries, a senior government official told ET.

The technology could be first introduced in commercial vehicles and two-wheelers before it is introduced for cars because of the low energy density of sodium and other ions compared to lithium ions, making the latter more powerful.

“The technology is being examined to look at their commercial viability… a policy framework will be worked out after that,” the official said.

India is keen to reduce dependence on China to avoid supply chain problems in future.

The Niti Aayog estimates the full-scale use of lithium ion batteries in India would lead to imports to the order of ₹38,000 crore from China.

Besides, the government is committed to reduce its fossil fuel consumption by 50% by 2030 and achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2070. The lithium ion batteries, currently being used in India and elsewhere, are equally clean fuel options.

However, the fast depleting resources of lithium, cobalt, nickel and copper, and the fact that they are not available in abundance in the country leaves India highly dependent on imports, much like its dependence on fossil fuel imports to meet its power demand.

Compared to lithium ions, sodium is more abundantly available in nature, its batteries are low cost and its charging time is less compared to lithium ion batteries. Further, it can be transported at zero volt compared to lithium ion batteries, which need to remain charged at all times, thus reducing the chances of explosions.

In the private sector, Reliance Industries had earlier this year bought UK-based Faradion. The company plans to build four gigafactories to drive its clean energy mission over the next few years.

Scientists at Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur have developed sodium-ion batteries and supercapacitors that can be integrated into e-cycles for rapid charging.