In It For The Long-Haul

Log 9 Materials is banking on its innovative, zero-emission and lowcost solution to provide a compelling alternative for long-haul transportation.

- Deven Lad

The IIT-Roorkee incubated, Bengaluru-based startup Log 9 Materials Scientific Pvt. Ltd., has set its sight on long-haul transportation. In a big range boost to electric light commercial vehicles, the company is claimed to have developed a path-breaking alternative to conventional lithium-ion battery packs. The low-cost, zero emission, aluminium fuel-cell developed by the company, according to Akshay Singhal, Founder at Log 9 Materials has the potential to address the range anxiety and performance issues associated with lithium-ion batteries. Explained Singhal, “Lithiumion is not meant for the long run especially when long-haul is the need. The biggest challenge, for instance, is the need to charge over several hours, for a Bengaluru-Mumbai trip. The trip will take three to four days owing to the need for multiple charges.” “The lithium-ion battery pack is also not suited to hotter terrains either. India has hot weather and those challenges persist. That apart there is a scarcity of raw materials like cobalt for feeding the battery,” he added. Of the opinion that aluminium fuel-cells are more apt for the long-haul, Singhal also cited the capability of withstanding hotter terrains more efficiently.

Aluminium fuel-cell proto