IIT Madras-incubated Grinntech plans Rs 100 crore investment in Tamil Nadu

IIT-Madras Research Park-incubated Grinntech, an investor-backed start-up specialising in lithium-ion batteries for EVs and energy storage systems, has signed an MoU with the state government of Tamil Nadu to set up an EV battery and BMS manufacturing facility.

Working closely with IIT Madras’ Centre for Battery Engineering and Electric Vehicles, Grinntech has unveiled a range of high-tech batteries customised to Indian conditions and IoT-enabled BMS to power 
two- and three-wheelers, cars, LCVs and tractors.

On October 12 Grinntech executed an MoU with the government of Tamil Nadu which outlines the company’s intent to establish a battery and battery management system manufacturing facility in Tamil Nadu to cater to the anticipated growth of Electric Vehicles (EVs) in India. 

Grinntech, which has attracted several industry veterans as investors since its incubation at IIT-Madras Research Park, already operates its R&D and pilot manufacturing facility in Chennai. In addition, it has outlined plans for outlay of almost Rs 100 crore for R&D, product development and production facilities which will lead to the employment of 250 staff over the next five years. 

L-R: Robin (72V) is made for new-generation connected electric two-wheelers; Shikra (48V) is designed for e-rickshaws; Falcon (96V) is oriented to light vehicles including cars, LCVs and light tractors / industrial equipment and optimised for long-life operation; Pintail (12V) is a two-wheeler lithium-ion starter battery made to JIS standard.

The company has showcased a range of high-tech lithium-ion batteries, along with their proprietary BMS, suitable for two-, three-wheelers, light vehicles and farm tractors. The company is engaged in discussions with a number of OEMs and fleet operators for supply of its batteries and related systems.

Meanwhile, Grintech has appointed E Balasubramoniam as president, Grinntech. The company says Balasubramoniam brings over 35 years of experience in the auto industry including prior leadership roles in Maruti Suzuki India, Tata Motors and most recently as senior vice-president at Ashok-Leyland and CEO of the Nissan-Ashok Leyland JV. He is also an alumnus of IIT-Madras.

Puneet Jain, co-founder, Grinntech said: “We are grateful to the government of Tamil Nadu for their vision in attracting investment in the fast-growing EV and EV-component sectors. Chennai has had the label of ‘Detroit of the East’. Now, as the global auto industry shifts to electrification, this initiative by the government of Tamil Nadu will help India’s EV industry be future-ready.”

Nikhilesh Mishra, co-founder, Grinntech said: “We welcome Balasubramoniam to Grinntech. Our culture of blending the innovation and entrepreneurship of a start-up with domain competence needed for managing complex operations will benefit from his wealth of experience in key areas such as business development, program management, sourcing, and operations.”

The company’s directors Dr V Sumantran (former vice-chairman of Ashok Leyland) and Lakshminarayan (co-founder and former vice-chairman of Cognizant) extended their welcome to Balasubramoniam and expressed their confidence that with the government of Tamil Nadu’s timely policy.

Autocar Professional published a comprehensive feature on the company in its September 15, 2020 issue