Q1: Could you give our readers an overview of EMO Energy's current focus areas?

What sets you apart from other battery manufacturers in India?

As the demand for high-performance EVs and energy storage grows, India's future in storage and mobility hinges on batteries that maximize energy efficiency using low grade cost-effective, standard lithium cells. EMO's cutting-edge tech stack extends the lifecycle of these affordable cells by over 60%, even in India’s extreme conditions. Our advanced machine learning models predict cell behavior in real-time, actively optimizing charge and discharge for peak performance. This unique system offers unmatched efficiency at the lowest cost, scalable across any battery for both mobility and storage—making it a global first.

Q2: It will help to understand the current battery energy storage market in India.In terms of the value chain, how is the supply side organized in India? Do you see reliance on the domestic market for raw materials gradually increasing?

The current battery energy storage market in India is experiencing rapid growth, driven by the country's push for clean energy and the integration of renewable sources like solar and wind. In terms of the value chain, the supply side in India is still developing but is structured around several key players, including manufacturers of battery cells, integrators of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), and software providers for efficient management. The upstream supply chain, however, remains largely dependent on imports, particularly for key raw materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel, which are essential for lithium-ion batteries. As domestic manufacturing of cell components ramps up, along with advancements in alternative chemistries, we expect a gradual shift towards self-reliance. In the near term, though, India will continue to depend on imports for critical raw materials while expanding local production capabilities across the value chain.

Q3: Likewise, where does India stand in terms of the technology maturity in this space, to improve the efficiency and life of the battery packs?

Indian companies are increasingly focusing on improving battery management systems (BMS), thermal management, and enhancing the overall energy density of battery cells. Collaborations with global players and research institutes are also helping to accelerate the adoption of cutting-edge technology.

Furthermore, innovations around alternative chemistries, such as solid-state and sodium-ion batteries, are gaining traction in India, which could enhance both the efficiency and lifecycle of battery packs in the near future. While the technology is still developing, India's efforts are laying a strong foundation for future advancements in battery performance.

Q4: Where do you see the highest demand for fast-charging battery technology today, beyond the electric vehicle sector?

Fast-charging technology is also finding its way into the urban battery energy storage ecosystem, as higher power BESS allows homes and commercial applications to run more appliances. Moreover with smaller batteries that can deliver more power, the total cost of the battery can be lower if the backup time required is limited to a couple of hours. This development not only enhances user convenience but also increases the strain on grid infrastructure, further driving the need for efficient BESS integration to balance energy loads.

(Future growth in the sector will depend on innovations addressing raw material challenges and the need for longer-duration storage, particularly for systems capable of storing energy for 6 to 10 hours or more. Advanced software and data tools are also enhancing the management of BESS capacity for maximum safety, efficiency, and commercial value, making these systems more scalable and reliable.)

Q5: Does EMO Energy intend to expand into these markets as well?

Absolutely! EMO Energy is gearing up to make a strong entrance into the alternative fast charging markets. With our cutting-edge energy storage systems, we see ourselves not just entering but becoming a key player in this space. Our technology is designed to enhance charging infrastructure with greater efficiency and reliability, addressing the growing demand for faster, more sustainable solutions. By partnering with fast charging companies and leveraging our innovations, we’re poised to accelerate market penetration and transform the future of fast charging globally.

Q6: How do you see the EV ecosystem panning out in the near term, as we expect an announcement on the FAME III subsidy?

The extensive push towards fleet electrification presents a critical challenge in maintaining the overall health and longevity of batteries, especially as the focus shifts to the heavy transport and goods vehicle sectors. Accelerating adoption in these areas not only demands advanced battery management solutions but also necessitates the development of independent charging hubs. These hubs will play a crucial role in ensuring uninterrupted operation of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, mitigating downtime, and supporting large-scale fleet operations.

Moreover, the increased power demand on local grids poses both a challenge and an opportunity. As more EVs are integrated into the system, grid strain will intensify. However, this also presents a unique opportunity to invest in energy storage solutions that can safely and efficiently store surplus power. By incorporating second-life cells into our systems, we can not only provide scalable energy storage but also extend the life cycle of these cells, reducing waste and supporting a circular economy. This approach enhances grid resilience while addressing power demand fluctuations caused by fleet electrification, ensuring energy remains both secure and accessible when needed.

Q7: How are you aligning your business strategy in line with the evolving policy and demand landscape?

The clean energy landscape is rapidly evolving, with major policy shifts driving immediate action. Delhi's ban on DG sets below 20kVa during poor air quality and the government’s mandate for peak shaving and energy trading signal a new era. EMO is at the forefront, developing high-power energy storage systems to meet these urgent demands across industries. Energy storage is poised to be a game-changing disruptor, strengthening energy resilience across India.

Q8: Recently in 2023, EMO Energy secured investment from Transition VC and Gruhas. How do you see investors approaching the clean tech space, and what key expectations do they have when backing startups like yours?

There is an intent for new age investors to target sectors which not only improve economic viability of the country but also contribute to lower emissions and a cleaner net zero cycle. Investors like TVC and Gruhas are very clear that the new wave of large businesses will emerge from high technology businesses that push the frontier of technology. 70% of the technologies to push the developing world to a net zero system still don’t exist and backing startups that are taking the plunge to solve these problems will be critical to ensure sustainable growth for the country and the rest of the world.

Q9: With battery costs being a significant part of electric vehicles, do you see domestic cell manufacturing gaining momentum in India, helping to reduce costs and accelerate EV adoption? As you scale, is entering the cell manufacturing space part of your future plans?

EMO works with standard cell chemistries and develops systems to extend the lifecycle and power of those cells. The chemistry can be a version of lithium and in the future could be sodium but within those. EMO aims to be the highest performance and life cycle possible at a system level. With the combination of added hardware and software, EMO can enhance performance and life cycle of batteries like no other system thus ensuring a better total cost of ownership. By utilizing low grade and 2nd life cells, EMO can also contribute to a stronger circular economy by delaying recycling to more than 2X the time.

EMO leverages standard cell chemistries, such as lithium—and potentially sodium in the future—to develop systems that significantly boost both the power and lifespan of these cells with a unique blend of advanced hardware and software. EMO's systems deliver unmatched battery efficiency, significantly reducing total cost of ownership. By repurposing low-grade and second-life cells, EMO is driving a stronger circular economy, doubling the lifespan of batteries and delaying the need for recycling. This innovation is a critical step toward a more sustainable, resource-efficient future.

Q10: As EMO Energy looks to scale in the coming years, are there any key partnerships or collaborations you're exploring to enhance your technology or expand market reach?

We're strategically pursuing key partnerships to accelerate technology development and expand market reach. Collaborations with fast-charging companies aim to integrate our high-performance energy storage systems, while hyper-local delivery companies present opportunities to power their fleets sustainably. We're also working with recyclers to repurpose used cells, reinforcing the circular economy. In addition, we're engaging with EV OEMs and businesses looking to deploy energy storage solutions (ESS), positioning our technology to drive impact across multiple industries.

Q11: It would be great to understand your expansion plans, both - in terms of business growth as well as fundraising.

Our future expansion plans focus on scaling our SENS software to lead the way in battery health optimization, alongside our Zen Stac and Zen Base energy storage systems, which are meticulously designed for adaptability and effectiveness, we offer solutions that seamlessly serve a broad range of operational environments—from small-scale deployments to large industrial demands. We're committed to expanding our ecosystem to enhance EV grid resilience while ramping up production of the ZEN PAC. A key priority is onboarding more OEMs to integrate our battery packs, and we anticipate that companies using in-house equipment will eventually adopt our software for vehicle optimization. We're also targeting increased collaboration with fleets, financiers, insurers, and other key stakeholders to drive widespread adoption.

Background of EMO Energy

EMO Energy is revolutionizing battery-technology for transformative mobility and energy storage solutions. Our mission is to design and develop innovative solutions focused on safety, reliability, and performance. Driven by a team of world-class engineers, we are committed to making high-power energy applications accessible to everyone, revolutionizing the way energy is used and deployed. Through the seamless fusion of hardware, software, and user experience, our flagship products—ZEN tech stack and SENS AI platform—deliver exceptional battery performance and health insights, transforming rapid charging and efficient energy storage while accelerating the transition to net-zero emissions."

EMO Energy is focused on solving problems pertaining to life, reliability, safety, and high performance with ZEN, a proprietary battery tech platform that can be scaled across multiple mobility and storage applications. Designed for superior performance in mobility and storage applications. Our batteries deliver over 2,000 cycle life, ensuring five years of reliable operation even under harsh conditions. With consistent discharge performance, 100% fire safety, and fast charging in under 30 minutes, our solutions address critical challenges in the industry. Utilizing standard NMC and LFP Li-Ion cells, we combine mechanical, hardware, and software innovations to create battery packs that offer 60% longer life.