IOC developing metal-air batteries from indigenous metals; In talks with Hindalco to source aluminium

Indian state government-owned oil and gas company, Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOC), is reportedly developing metal-air batteries that will produce energy by oxidising metals such as iron, zinc and aluminium. This is to forestall dependence on lithium imports once electric vehicles and renewable energy projects take off in a big way, said IOC chairman Sanjiv Singh.

These batteries cannot be recharged, but motorists can replace plates to power them almost instantly, eliminating the need for charging infrastructure.

Besides, the metal-air batteries have high energy density. If a normal lithium-ion battery can travel the vehicle up to 300 km, these batteries can take it to 500 km. The cost-effectiveness of these batteries will, however, depend on the scale of operation.

Also, the themetal oxide can be reduced to metal again, making the process recyclable.

“Rest of the battery including the air cathodes remain intact and there is no need to change them for at least eight years and after that the air cathode can be completed recycled,” said SSV Ramakumar, director-R&D at IOC.

As per the report, the production and recycling of these batteries can be performed locally, which also settles the concerns of import costs and environment-friendliness.

For manufacturing these batteries, IOC is planning to a set up a 1GW plant, for which it is in talks with Hindalco to source aluminium.