Reliance Industries Ltd. has taken a significant step towards strengthening India’s battery manufacturing capabilities with its subsidiary, Reliance New Energy Battery Limited (RNEL), securing a 10 GWh capacity under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Advanced Chemistry Cells (ACC). This move follows a competitive global tender process and allows RNEL to be eligible for incentives from the ₹18,100 crore PLI scheme, a part of India’s strategy to boost the advanced battery manufacturing sector.
The agreement is a critical milestone, advancing the “National Programme on Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) Battery Storage” that aims to enhance India’s manufacturing capacity in the electric vehicle (EV) and renewable energy storage sectors. With this development, a cumulative total of 40 GWh capacity has been allocated to four beneficiary firms out of the 50 GWh target set under the scheme.
The PLI scheme is designed to ensure that India’s battery manufacturing remains globally competitive, promoting local value addition while making the cost of production more affordable. This aligns with the Indian government’s long-term vision for self-reliance in battery manufacturing, an essential part of its broader e-mobility ecosystem.
In conjunction with the PLI scheme, the FY2025-26 Union Budget has taken measures to boost domestic production, including the exemption of 35 additional capital goods for EV battery manufacturing from Basic Customs Duty (BCD). These actions demonstrate the government’s commitment to fostering innovation, attracting foreign investment, and advancing sustainable development through the creation of a robust battery ecosystem.
The program’s success is anticipated to catalyze further investments, with over 10 companies already in the process of setting up additional GWh capacity in India.
