Informa Markets in India has brought together industry leaders at the Renewable Energy India (REI) Expo and The Battery Show India (TBSI) to discuss opportunities in battery manufacturing, critical mineral supplies, technology partnerships and supply chain resilience, with implications for India’s electric vehicle (EV) industry.
At the event held on October 23, industry leaders highlighted opportunities to combine India’s manufacturing capabilities with international expertise in battery technology, energy storage and critical minerals. Discussions also emphasised the importance of building domestic capabilities as India expands its clean energy infrastructure.
For the automotive industry, access to battery technologies and critical minerals remains an important consideration as manufacturers develop electric mobility solutions. Australia, which has significant lithium, cobalt and rare earth resources, identified battery manufacturing and EVs as key areas for cooperation with India.
Philip Green, Australia’s High Commissioner to India, said the two countries could combine Australia’s engineering expertise and mineral resources with India’s manufacturing strength and integration into global supply chains.
Green also highlighted Australia’s mineral resources, stating that the country produces more than 50 per cent of the world’s lithium and holds the world’s second-largest cobalt reserves. He added that Australia ranks second or third globally in rare earth resources.
Australia has 20 companies and 32 exhibitors participating in the expo, showcasing technologies across energy storage, grid infrastructure, green hydrogen and renewable energy integration.
Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director of Informa Markets in India, highlighted the need for renewable energy generation and grid storage to expand together as India advances its energy transition. According to Mudras, India’s renewable energy market is projected to reach 486 GW by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15 per cent. The country’s battery storage sector is projected to exceed USD 8.5 billion by 2031, with a CAGR of 33 per cent.
The three-day event, organised by Informa Markets in India, brings together more than 1,080 exhibitors, 1,400 brands and over 54,000 professionals. The co-location of REI Expo and The Battery Show India brings renewable energy developers, battery manufacturers, investors and policymakers together to discuss developments across the sector.
Beyond Australia, India is also looking to international partnerships to strengthen its clean energy technology base. Anandi Iyer, Director of Fraunhofer Office in India, highlighted opportunities for India and Germany to collaborate in battery research, power electronics, advanced engineering and industrial automation.
Iyer cited global renewable energy capacity additions of approximately 800 GW in 2025 and global battery storage deployment of 108 GW, an increase of 40 per cent from the previous year. She also highlighted the importance of trusted partnerships and supply chains in translating research into commercially viable solutions, noting that technological self-reliance did not mean working in isolation.
Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney also highlighted opportunities to combine Scottish technological expertise with India’s manufacturing scale, talent and market potential.
The broader clean energy transition is also being shaped by falling technology costs and economies of scale. Manu Srivastav, Additional Chief Secretary in Madhya Pradesh’s Power and Renewable Energy Department, said renewable energy was becoming increasingly competitive with conventional power as costs declined. He pointed to opportunities for wider adoption over the next two to five years.
Jai Asundi, Executive Director of the Centre for Study of Science, Technology & Policy (CSTEP), highlighted the need for continued investment in manufacturing, energy storage, grid infrastructure, research and skilled talent to build a resilient clean energy ecosystem.
For India’s EV industry, the discussions highlighted the importance of strengthening access to battery-related technologies and materials and developing domestic manufacturing capabilities. The discussions at the expo did not specify new investments or agreements involving individual EV manufacturers.
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