Intending to support India in faster adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) by leveraging entrepreneurial energy of start-up backed by industry leaders, Lithium-ion EV battery maker Grinntech has transformed into a commercial enterprise.

As part of this evolution, the company has attracted industry leaders such as Dr V Sumantran (former Vice- Chairman of Ashok Leyland) and Lakshmi Narayanan (co-founder and former Vice-Chairman of Cognizant) as investors and to serve on the company’s Board of Directors. Besides, K S Manian of Radiance Group and Ucal invested in this company. The company has received about USD2 million from these investors.

Along with a new logo, Grinntech has also unveiled a range of high-tech batteries with unique designs customised to Indian conditions and its proprietary, IoT-enabled BMS to power 2-wheelers, 3-wheelers and tractors/light vehicles.

Grinntech’s journey catalysed with the fundamental truth that the Indian automotive industry’s future is EVs, and India should be self-reliant in EV technologies.

In 2013, Nikhilesh Mishra and Puneet Jain - the two young engineers came together with a passion for making EV industry indigenous. Began with developing the battery swapping model for Tata Ace where interchanging of batteries performed in less than two minutes without any automation, the duo sharpened their focus on 12kW EV conversion kit for the same vehicle. Over 20,000km of field trials conducted to validate the system.

The break-through came with being absorbed at the incubation centre in IIT Madras Research Park in 2017, where they mentored by a leading scientist - Professor Ashok Jhunjhunwala. This period saw the development of lithium-ion batteries for two/three-wheelrs and electric buses. It also gave the company to licence the technology to a few battery manufacturers, including Exide, Amara Raja, Exicom and Cygni. During the last three years, the company generated close to USD1 million, which was ploughed back in research and development. Today, over 80 percent of the staff in the company is involved in its research and development.

After evolving from a pure R & D firm to a manufacturing company, Grinntech is now pushing itself to the operational phase with a modular production system, paying particular attention to cell-characterisation and pack testing. In addition to its new R&D and manufacturing facility in Chennai, the company is exploring a couple of options for a larger manufacturing location to scale up its production capacity.

The new facility will manufacture Robin-72 and Shikhra smart and personalised 2- and 3-wheeler battery solutions using state-of-the-art automated processes and assembly lines. The facility will also manufacture Pintail, an IoT-enabled 2-wheeler starter battery and the Falcon, a larger battery suited to tractors and light vehicles. The modular production layout will allow for easy scaling up as demand grows.

Robin 72 not only provides energy to the vehicle but also makes it smart and personalised. Designed with its patented technology (developed with Qualcomm), it is 7.5 times more capable than an average BMS - battery management system. It makes it most suited for varied EV applications like ride-sharing, delivery services, battery swapping, and personal use vehicles. The battery will last up to five years and it gets up to 80 percent of charge in 40 minutes.

Shikra reduces downtime significantly, thus ensuring better earning opportunities for drivers. Designed with quality materials, it offers segment-best durability, reliability, and longevity. It assures more than 99 percent availability of battery energy. The battery will last for four years and it can get 80 percent of charge in about two hours.

Falcon (96V) is oriented to light-vehicles, including cars, LCVs and light tractors/industrial equipment, and optimised for long-life operation.

Designed, according to JIS standard, Pintail is suitable for IoT enabled petrol 2-wheelers with continuous current draw. The battery offers reliability and life to balance between high current for cranking and long life for the constant current consumption. CAN communication adds smartness and fast charging makes it most suitable for ride-sharing vehicles. The battery can get 80 percent of charge in an hour; it has a life of up to three years.

For all the batteries, the company offers variants with customisable features according to the requirements.

Grinntech works closely with leading global technology companies and cell suppliers, bringing cutting-edge advances in semiconductors, materials, cell-chemistry and formats.”It was always our dream to create a technologically advanced lithium-ion battery product-line built-to-cost for Indian conditions and its production system. We are hopeful that we will catch the fast-growing wave for EV products by Indian customers,” the company founders said.

Mishra said, “When a technology stalwart like Lakshmi Narayanan and a visionary of mobility like Dr Sumantran join hands, I expect nothing less than building up Grinntech’s battery development and manufacturing capabilities to a position of industry leadership. Apart from affordable, high-quality batteries that employ customisable and superior thermal management, we anticipate EV makers and customers will soon require additional capabilities like battery performance analytics and connectivity. With our innovative product range and sophisticated IoT-enabled BMS systems, we are ready for this future.”

Dr Sumantran said, “I am delighted to be a part of Grinntech’s journey when EVs are rapidly gaining acceptance globally and in India, and particularly so at a time when our country has articulated a priority for self-reliance in critical EV technologies. Market conditions will reward those EV battery makers that possess technological and operational competence in the coming years. Grinntech’s combination of performance, quality and economics will play an important part in that journey.”

Narayanan said, “The future of energy is in renewables with significant potential for high growth. Digital technologies such as IoT and data analytics play a crucial role in enabling companies with newer business models to provide much-needed connectedness, high performance and superior customer experience. It is heartening to see start-ups in India boldly embrace technology-driven solutions that can meaningfully address not just India’s challenges but also global ones.”

Off late, Grinntech has been getting inquiries for the supply of batteries to global clients. The anticipated growth of products like E-powered micro-cars, e-bikes, and a range of electrified mobility vehicles in the post-COVID world offers encouraging prospects for companies like Grinntech that possess proprietary technology, a low-cost base, and high-quality products. MT

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Gabriel India, the listed flagship company of Anand Group, has entered into a joint venture with South Korea-based HL Klemove to acquire a 30 percent minus one share stake in HL Klemove India for USD 98.44 million (INR 9.35 billion).

The joint venture will focus on the development, manufacturing and commercialisation of autonomous driving components, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems and automotive electronics.

The product portfolio includes radar, front cameras, LiDAR, automated driving and parking control units with embedded ADAS software, brake electronic control units, steering electronic control units, chassis control units and torque sensors.

Jaisal Singh, Vice-Chairman, Anand Group, said, “As a key growth engine of the Anand Group, Gabriel India is focused on building scale, enhancing competitiveness, and broadening its presence across high-growth automotive segments. Our latest joint venture with HL Klemove represents a strategic step forward in this endeavour.”

Anjali Singh, Executive Chairperson of Anand Group and Gabriel India, said, “Bolstering our position across critical automotive systems while expanding our participation in future-oriented mobility and automotive technology segments, this new JV for autonomous driving and automotive electronics marks an important inflection point, enabling Gabriel India to further diversify its portfolio and strengthen its participation in emerging mobility segments.”

Mahendra K Goyal, Group CEO, Anand and Managing Director of Gabriel India, said, “Beyond unlocking new opportunities for growth, this collaboration will foster deeper OEM engagement, expand our participation in future mobility solutions and create enduring value for all stakeholders.”

The investment aligns with Gabriel India’s strategy to expand into automotive sectors, following previous joint ventures in sunroofs, lubricants, electric vehicle fluids and precision fasteners.

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CarYaar Auto Private Limited, a DPIIT-recognised technology startup, has announced the appointment of Sahaib Singh as its new Co-Founder and Head of Technology. The company, which operates within India’s fragmented car servicing ecosystem, is focused on integrating transparency and digital trust into the automotive aftermarket. Singh’s arrival marks a pivotal moment for the firm as it works to expand its technological infrastructure and formalize a sector traditionally characterised by informal practices.

Bringing over a decade of experience as a full-stack technologist across mobility, freight and artificial intelligence platforms, Singh will now spearhead the company’s technology strategy and product development. His leadership comes at a critical juncture as CarYaar advances its integrated digital platform, which aims to seamlessly connect car owners, workshops and other stakeholders within the automotive service network. The company is prioritising practical solutions over complex enterprise systems, developing a mobile-first, offline-capable and WhatsApp-native interface to ensure accessibility for multi-brand workshops and customers alike.

Under Singh’s technical direction, the platform is being tailored to serve three distinct user groups with specific operational tools. Workshops are equipped with digital job cards, photo-based inspections, parts tracking and billing systems, while service advisors and managers receive web-based applications for estimate creation and analytics. For car owners, the service enables booking, real-time job tracking and digital payments through WhatsApp, eliminating the need for a separate application. The overarching goal is to use technology not merely to digitise existing processes but to fundamentally enhance the relationship between vehicle owners and service providers.

CarYaar’s model emphasises transparency through features such as real-time photo documentation, pre-approved estimates and digital billing, offering customers clear visibility into their vehicle’s service journey. Currently operating with a network of certified empanelled workshops in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, the startup is actively building a broader technology-enabled ecosystem that includes multi-brand services, roadside assistance and spares management. This strategic expansion reinforces the company’s commitment to developing simple, accessible and genuinely useful technology for the Indian workshop environment.

Joel Daniel D’Souza, Co-Founder & Director, CarYaar Auto Private Limited, said, “Sahaib brings a strong combination of technology depth and experience across mobility and emerging technology platforms. As we scale CarYaar, technology will be central to how we connect customers and workshops, create transparency and bring greater efficiency to the entire ecosystem. His leadership will be critical as we move from building the foundation to scaling the platform.”

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Tata Communications and Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles have entered into a collaboration to equip the Sierra.ev with embedded 5G cellular connectivity, targeting the deployment of software-defined vehicles (SDVs) in India.

As per the understanding, the Tata Communications MOVE Connected Vehicle Platform will integrate into the car's software architecture, designated as N.IO. The system supports artificial intelligence applications, content streaming, over-the-air software updates, optional subscription packages and vehicle functions including emergency calls, remote assistance and real-time diagnostics.

Vivek Manglik, Executive Vice-President of Interaction Fabric at Tata Communications, said, “Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles has consistently set benchmarks for innovation in the automotive industry, and we are excited to collaborate on the launch of the Sierra.ev. As vehicles evolve into intelligent ecosystems that enable a growing range of services and applications, the underlying digital fabric will be central to fostering innovation and scaling new capabilities. This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to shaping a smarter mobility experience that will securely enhance convenience and personalisation.”

Sven Patuschka, CTO, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, said, “As vehicles become increasingly software-defined, highly intuitive digital connectivity and services will play a central role in shaping customer experiences. The Sierra.ev marks an important step in this evolution, and our collaboration with Tata Communications provides the robust digital backbone required to deliver seamless connectivity, continuous innovation, and enhanced in-vehicle experiences. Together, we are enabling technologies that allow vehicles to adapt, improve, and deliver greater value throughout their lifecycle.”

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Tata Consultancy Services has entered into an agreement with Porsche to acquire 100 percent of MHP Management- und IT-Beratung, the car maker's management and IT consulting subsidiary.

The transaction remains subject to regulatory and antitrust approvals and is expected to close in the coming months.

Furthermore, the acquisition is paired with a 5-year strategic agreement between TCS and Porsche to deploy artificial intelligence (AI) technologies across the automaker's value chain.

As per the understanding, MHP will operate as an independent consulting firm and retain its brand identity within TCS, combining MHP's automotive consulting operations across Europe with TCS's engineering, cloud and AI infrastructure.

Federico Magno, Group CEO, MHP, said, “MHP’s sweet spot has always been where entrepreneurial thinking, deep industry expertise and technology come together to make transformation happen. With TCS, we are bringing together MHP’s deep automotive and industrial capabilities with global scale, AI, engineering and technology expertise. This gives us an even stronger platform to accelerate our next chapter – with more capabilities, more reach and greater impact for our clients. Most importantly, it creates new opportunities for our people and clients to shape the future of industry.”

K Krithivasan, CEO and MD, Tata Consultancy Services, said, “TCS is pleased to partner Porsche in its transformation journey. As AI, software and data redefine the automotive industry, this partnership brings together TCS’ capabilities in AI, engineering and technology and business transformation with MHP’s strong automotive consulting expertise. Together, we will industrialise AI at scale for Porsche, accelerating innovation across the value chain to deliver intelligent, software-defined mobility experiences of the future.”

As part of the multi-year deal, TCS and MHP will establish an AI Mobility Centre of Excellence to develop and deploy artificial intelligence systems for manufacturing, engineering, supply-chain operations, and customer service applications.

Dr Michael Leiters, CEO and Chairman of the Executive Board, Porsche AG, said, “Porsche is taking another important step in its strategy to focus resolutely on its core business with the transfer of MHP to Tata Consultancy Services. At the same time, we are gaining a strategic partner in TCS. By combining Porsche's automotive expertise with TCS's digital technology and AI capabilities, we will further strengthen our innovative power, increase efficiency and boost our competitiveness in an increasingly data- and software-driven world of mobility.”

The move enables Porsche to focus resources on its core vehicle operations while retaining MHP and TCS as external technology partners for its IT and digital transformation requirements.

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