Battery PLI Scheme Runs Out of Charge, Centre to Review

Govt secured manufacturers for 40 GWh of capacity, but cos not been able to meet targets

- Manas Pimpalkhare

A ₹18,100-crore production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme to incentivize batteries for electric vehicles and reducing dependence on China seems to have run dry.

With zero disbursals from the PLI scheme for advanced chemistry cells (PLI ACC) in four years, the ministry of heavy industries will review it to chart a fresh roadmap, secure investments, and ensure battery storage capacity utilization, according to two officials aware of the development.

Advanced chemistry cells are widely used in the renewable energy sector and in electric vehicles. These cells store electrical energy chemically using complex materials.

"There has been very little traction in the ACC PLI. Capacities that have developed are also very little. With that in mind, there is going to be a review of the scheme," said one of the officials cited above, requesting anonymity.