Hindalco provides 10,000 Aluminum Battery Packs to Mahindra for BE 6 and XEV 9e

The metal arm of the Aditya Birla Group, Hindalco Industries, has delivered 10,000 aluminium battery enclosures to Mahindra for its next generation of electric SUVs, the BE 6 and XEV 9e. The announcement was made in conjunction with the opening of Hindalco's new EV component production facility in Pune's Chakan, a major automotive centre.

With an expenditure of ₹500 crore, the plant marks Hindalco's foray into the production of EV parts. The five-acre facility, which produces aluminium battery enclosures that are lightweight and crash-resistant, can produce 80,000 units a year, with plans to expand that number to 160,000. There are currently more than 3,000 Mahindra EVs on Indian roads that have these battery cages installed.

Citing Satish Pai, Managing Director of Hindalco Industries, the Machine Maker reported, “This Chakan plant marks a shift towards localised, high-performance aluminium solutions for the EV sector. Our partnership with Mahindra reflects our shared vision for cleaner mobility and reinforces India’s transition to electric vehicles.”

The co-developed battery enclosures are up to 40% lighter than traditional steel-based alternatives since they are constructed of low-carbon aluminium. Better crash resistance, enhanced thermal management for battery systems, and an 8–10% increase in driving range are all results of this reduction.

In addition to its technological innovation, the new Chakan plant promotes the "Make in India" movement, which aims to create up to 1,000 jobs and lessen dependency on imports. The facility's almost entirely female machine operator crew is a noteworthy feature, which is a rare yet forward-thinking development in the manufacturing industry.

In the future, Hindalco intends to provide other domestic and international automakers with comparable aluminium-based components. In addition to battery enclosures, the company's future product line will comprise structural and safety-critical components for both conventional and electric vehicles.

The expansion of giga-factories and domestic cell production in India is expected to increase demand for battery-grade aluminium as the country's electric vehicle ecosystem grows. A forward-thinking strategy to address the changing demands of the mobility industry is demonstrated by Hindalco's investment in this area.