Hindalco Industries Ltd., the metals flagship of the Aditya Birla Group, has successfully delivered 10,000 aluminium battery enclosures to Mahindra for its electric SUVs — the BE 6 and XEV 9e. This milestone coincides with the inauguration of its state-of-the-art EV component manufacturing facility in Chakan, Pune.
Developed with an investment of ₹500 crore and spread across 5 acres, the Chakan plant marks Hindalco’s strategic entry into India’s growing EV component sector. Currently, the facility has an annual production capacity of 80,000 battery enclosures, with plans underway to scale this up to 160,000 units. Over 3,000 Mahindra EVs equipped with these aluminium enclosures are already operational on Indian roads.
The battery enclosures were co-developed with Mahindra and offer significant benefits, including up to 40% weight reduction compared to traditional steel alternatives. This results in an 8–10% improvement in vehicle range, enhanced crash safety, and superior thermal management. Additionally, the enclosures are manufactured using low-carbon aluminium, supporting sustainability goals.
“Our Chakan facility represents a strategic shift in India’s EV ecosystem from import dependence to high-performance, localised aluminium solutions,” said Satish Pai, Managing Director of Hindalco Industries. “We are well-positioned to co-create the next generation of automotive solutions.”
The new facility is expected to generate up to 1,000 jobs and strongly aligns with the Indian Government’s ‘Make in India’ vision. Notably, it features a predominantly all-women workforce operating machinery on the shop floor — a reflection of Hindalco’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Rajesh Jejurikar, Executive Director and CEO of Mahindra & Mahindra’s Auto and Farm Sector, highlighted the importance of the collaboration, stating that Hindalco’s material innovation has been vital in delivering efficient and high-performance battery enclosure solutions.
Looking ahead, Hindalco plans to expand its EV component portfolio to serve both Indian and global OEMs. The company aims to supply aluminium-based solutions for structural and crash-relevant components for electric as well as internal combustion engine vehicles.
As India’s EV landscape evolves and demand rises for battery-grade aluminium and localized component manufacturing, Hindalco’s investment places it at the forefront of this transformation. Industry experts anticipate continued growth in this sector, especially as domestic battery production accelerates.
Hindalco Industries, a $26 billion metals powerhouse, operates across the aluminium value chain — from bauxite mining to downstream manufacturing. Through its subsidiary Novelis, it is also the global leader in flat-rolled aluminium products and recycling. The company has been recognized as the world’s most sustainable aluminium company for five consecutive years by the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices.
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