Battery Technology — Current Affairs 2026
Current Affairs Connections
India's PLI Scheme Drives Gigafactory Announcements and ACC Battery Manufacturing Push
Ongoing (2022-2024)India's Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) battery storage, launched in 2021, has begun to yield significant results. Major domestic and international players like Reliance New Energy Solar, Ola Electric, and Rajesh Exports (through its subsidiary ACC Energy Storage) have been selected under the scheme, committing to establish gigafactories with substantial manufacturing capacities. For instance, Reliance has pledged to set up 50 GWh capacity, while Ola Electric and Rajesh Exports have committed to 20 GWh and 5 GWh respectively. These developments are crucial for India's ambition to localize battery production, reduce import dependence, and achieve its electric vehicle (EV) adoption targets. The scheme aims to attract over ₹45,000 crore in investment and create a robust domestic supply chain, aligning with the 'Make in India' initiative. This directly impacts India's energy security and technological sovereignty, making it a high-priority topic for UPSC.
UPSC Angle: Mains GS-III: Industrial policy, 'Make in India', energy security, EV ecosystem development, technological self-reliance. Prelims: Key players, scheme outlay, capacity targets.
Battery Waste Management Rules 2022: India's Step Towards a Circular Economy for Batteries
August 2022 (Notification)The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change notified the Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022, replacing the two-decade-old rules. These new rules introduce the concept of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), making battery producers responsible for the collection, recycling, and refurbishment of waste batteries. They mandate specific collection and recycling targets, starting from 70% in 2023-24 and increasing to 80% by 2026-27 for portable and automotive batteries, and higher for industrial and EV batteries. The rules also promote the use of recycled materials in new batteries and establish an online portal for registration and reporting, ensuring transparency. This comprehensive framework is vital for managing the growing volume of battery waste, recovering critical minerals, and fostering a sustainable, circular economy in the battery sector, directly addressing environmental concerns associated with rapid EV adoption. This is a key policy development for sustainable development.
UPSC Angle: Mains GS-III: Environmental protection, waste management, circular economy, government policies and interventions, resource recovery. Prelims: Key provisions of the rules, EPR concept, collection targets, year of notification.