CECRI to make EV batteries; invest ₹100-cr

The Tamil Nadu-based Central Electrochemical Research Institute (CECRI), a research institute under the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, has decided to set up a factory to produce batteries for electric vehicles.

It plans to invest ₹100 crore to set up the unit at its campus in Taramani, Chennai.

This is a marked departure for the research body that has developed technologies, on its own or as a sponsored initiative, and licensed out the know-how.

Now, nudged by V K Saraswat, Member, NITI Aayog, CECRI has decided to manufacture a product on its own. The funds for the plant, however, will come from CSIR.