Ola Electric gets first BIS nod for Indian-made 46100 LFP cell
The certification validates safety and performance of Ola's in-house cell, expanding beyond NMC 4680. Strategic but financial impact not yet quantifiable; company posts ₹500 cr quarterly net loss.
— 1 earlier story on OLA Electric Mobility Ltd. →What's new
- Ola Electric's battery subsidiary received BIS certification for 46100 LFP cylindrical cell.
- Ola is the first Indian company to achieve BIS cert for this cell format.
- Cell cleared thermal abuse, short circuit, and crush tests at NABL-accredited lab.
Why this matters
This strengthens Ola's in-house battery technology, reducing import dependence and opening opportunities in EV and stationary storage. Yet with a ₹500 cr net loss in Mar 2026 quarter, commercial viability remains unproven.
What we're watching
- Commercialization timeline for the new LFP cell line.
- Cost competitiveness versus imported cells as gigafactory scales.
- Impact on Ola's battery costs and margins in coming quarters.
The full read
Ola Electric's battery subsidiary just became the first Indian company to receive BIS certification for an indigenously developed 46100 LFP cylindrical cell. The cell hits an energy density above 170 Wh/kg and targets over 4,000 cycles — expanding Ola's in-house portfolio beyond its NMC 4680 Bharat Cells. Certification followed rigorous tests at a NABL-accredited lab: thermal abuse, short circuit, crush. Strategically, this cuts import dependence and opens doors for EV and stationary storage. But Ola posted a net loss of ₹500 cr in the Mar 2026 quarter, with trailing revenue down 56.6%. The Tamil Nadu gigafactory, already producing 4680 cells, will make the new cell on a shared platform. Commercial viability and cost advantages remain to be demonstrated.
Questions answered
- What does BIS certification mean for Ola Electric?
- It validates that Ola's 46100 LFP cell meets Indian safety and performance standards, making it the first Indian company to get such certification for this format. It strengthens credibility for EV and energy-storage applications.
- How does the 46100 LFP cell differ from Ola's existing NMC 4680 cells?
- The 46100 is a smaller cylindrical cell using LFP chemistry, offering lower energy density but higher safety and cycle life. It complements the NMC 4680 cells in Ola's portfolio for different applications.
- What are the key specifications of the 46100 LFP cell?
- It has an energy density above 170 Wh/kg and a target of over 4,000 cycles, meeting the IS 16046 Part 2:2018 / IEC 62133-2:2017 standard.
- When will production of the 46100 cell begin?
- Ola said its gigafactory in Tamil Nadu, already producing 4680 cells, will also manufacture the new LFP cell line, but no specific timeline was given.
- What is the financial impact of this certification?
- The direct near-term financial impact is not quantifiable, but strategically it positions Ola to reduce import dependence and potentially lower battery costs over time.
- How does this certification align with Ola's gigafactory plans?
- The gigafactory in Tamil Nadu uses a common 46-series architecture, allowing production of both 4680 and 46100 cells, which supports Ola's goal of indigenizing battery manufacturing.
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All notes on OLAELEC →- 23 Jun 2026 · 2:10 PM IST Ola Electric gets first BIS nod for Indian-made 46100 LFP cell
- 28d ago Ola Electric's Q4 transcript adds no new material information