Rechargion Energy achieves IEC62660 compliance for Sodium-ion batteries

Rechargion Energy Pvt. Ltd., a Pune-based startup incubated from CSIR–National Chemical Laboratory, has developed sodium-ion battery cells that have cleared safety tests under the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC62660) protocol.

The Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), through its Homologation and Technology Center at Chakan, conducted a two-month evaluation of the cells. Tests included vibration, mechanical shock, crushing, high-temperature endurance, short circuit, overcharge, and forced discharge. The validation report was handed over to Rechargion founders, Dr. Manjusha and Dr. Vilas Shelke, by ARAI Director Dr. Reji Mathai in the presence of ARAI-AMTIF CEO, Sudeep Ambare, on August 14, 2025.

According to the company, Rechargion is the first in India to achieve IEC62660 compliance for sodium-ion batteries. It is setting up a facility with a capacity of 500 cells per day to move from pilot-scale research to commercial manufacturing. The facility aims to evaluate cost and performance competitiveness with lithium-ion batteries and strengthen a domestic supply chain.

The company installed a pilot sodium-ion cell fabrication plant in 2024 and is now producing cells with up to 10 Ah capacity. According to Rechargion, the cells have demonstrated a cycle life of 10,000 cycles, translating into a potential battery life of over 25 years. The technology uses sodium derived from seawater and aluminium, avoiding reliance on imported minerals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and copper.

According to Dr Vilas Shelke, Chief Executive Officer of Rechargion Energy Pvt. Ltd., “We shall try to leverage the breakthrough for electric mobility application with a particular focus on 2/3-wheeler segment. Currently, we can produce 10 Ah capacity cells with more than 10,000 cycle life at our pilot plant facility. We will scale-up the end-to-end manufacturing for 500-1000 cells per day with expected commercialisation in 12-15 months.”

Rechargion’s scale-up efforts are being supported by the ARAI–Advance Mobility Transformation and Innovation Foundation (AMTIF) under the Ministry of Heavy Industries’ Industry Accelerator Program, along with funding from the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, the US-India Science and Technology Endowment Fund, and Social Alpha.

Also read: Commercial viability of Sodium-ion battery for electric aviation