Battery Summit 2025

New Delhi, May 28, 2025: “India’s science and technology sector is actively carving a wider and bolder road ahead, driven by the visionary leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi,” said Dr. Jitendra Singh, Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, at the Battery Summit 2025. He further said, “Today, India ranks 6th globally in patent filings, a testament to our rising innovation capacity. The focus must now shift toward strengthening indigenous technological development, boosting domestic manufacturing, and building a robust, self-reliant innovation ecosystem.” 

The Summit hosted high-level panel discussions that addressed challenges and opportunities in strengthening India’s lithium-ion supply chain, scaling up technology and academia-industry partnerships, and advancing local manufacturing and circularity. It brought together over 500 participants representing government, industry, academia, and research institutions to advance innovation and collaboration in energy storage. The event was hosted with the knowledge partner, The Department of Science and Technology (DST), and in partnership with NITI Aayog, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Battery360 Alliance.

Underscoring the Government of India’s strong commitment to advancing innovation, collaboration, and localization in India’s battery ecosystem, Dr. Singh noted, “DST’s budget has grown from ₹2,777 crore in 2014 to ₹28,509 crore in this year’s budget — a 926% increase. Our gross expenditure on R&D (GERD) increased from ₹60,196 crore in 2014 to ₹127,380 crore today.”

Shri B.V. R. Subrahmanyam, CEO, NITI Aayog, noted, “India’s next 25 years will be transformative. As battery and EV demand soar, we must design a future-ready ecosystem that is built on science, innovation, and private sector leadership. Let’s not retrofit the future; let’s build it from the ground up, with faith in our country, our capabilities, and our entrepreneurs.”

The Summit’s highlight was the Battery Technologies Showcase, where startups, academia, innovation labs, and industry leaders demonstrated over 28 real-world scalable technologies in alternate battery chemistries, battery reuse and recycling innovations, and data analytics solutions. A key feature of the exhibition was the launch of a pilot initiative – Battery Aadhaar, a unique digital ID that enhances the traceability of batteries across their lifecycle. Battery Aadhar can support circularity, resource efficiency, and regulatory compliance. The exhibit featured an e-4W battery pack with a QR code, giving participants a live demonstration of how the Battery Aadhaar solution can empower India’s battery ecosystem. 

Speaking at the summit, Dr. Anita Gupta, Head of Scientific Division, Climate Energy and Sustainable Technology (CEST), DST, noted, “Climate change is a pressing reality, and decarbonizing transport is key to securing India’s clean energy future. Initiatives like ‘The Platform for Sustainable Electrification of Transport’ are vital to building a robust, research-driven ecosystem that supports innovation, startups, and strategic partnerships. We must act urgently by scaling battery storage, strengthening supply chains, and fostering ‘Centers of Excellence’ to achieve our vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047.”

Speaking about the importance of Battery Energy Storage Systems, Sudeep Jain (IAS), Additional Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) said, “Innovation and informed policymaking must go hand in hand. India’s path to 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity depends on smart integration of Battery Energy Storage Systems. BESS not only unlocks renewable potential in high-irradiation, transmission-constrained zones, but is also one of the most reliable ways to store energy and meet the rising energy demand. A robust battery ecosystem is essential for a resilient and responsive energy future.”

WRI India also released a publication titled ‘Development of Data Frameworks for Battery Circularity in India,’ at the Summit, emphasizing the urgent need for a unified data framework to enhance transparency and collaboration across the battery ecosystem. To know more about the paper, click here.

Asher Lessels, Head, GEF Climate Migration Unit, Climate Change Division, United Nations Environment Programme said, “The Triple Planetary Crisis — climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution — demands urgent, integrated solutions. Batteries, if powered by clean energy and managed responsibly, can accelerate decarbonization. But their production and disposal also raise serious environmental and equity concerns. Through our $114 million global program, the Global Environment Facility is working across 40+ countries to promote electric mobility and circular battery economies.”

Speaking at the panel, Madhav Pai, CEO, WRI India, stated, “India’s battery demand is set to surge from 160 GWh by 2030 to over 600 GWh by 2050 under a net-zero scenario. The Battery Summit marks a critical step in uniting industry, academia, and government to build a transparent, circular, and scalable battery ecosystem. Initiatives like the Battery Aadhar and our Technology Showcase highlight India’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and green growth.”

The summit is supported under the UNEP-led initiative 'Electrifying Mobility in Cities: Investing in the Transformation to Electric Mobility in India,' launched with support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and under the leadership of NITI Aayog. 

About WRI India 
WRI India, an independent charity legally registered as the India Resources Trust, provides objective information and practical proposals to foster environmentally sound and socially equitable development. Through research, analysis, and recommendations, WRI India puts ideas into action to build transformative solutions to protect the earth, promote livelihoods, and enhance human well-being. 

For more information, please contact
Ankita Rajeshwari: Ankita.rajeshwari@wri.org
Satbhan Singh: satbhan.singh@wri.org