EV Cells Made in India: Ola’s 4680 “Bharat Cell” vs Reliance’s Sodium-Ion—What’s Running Now and What Arrives in 2026

EV Cells Made in India: India’s EV transition hinges on cells—not just packs. Two big storylines now converge: Ola Electric has secured ARAI certification for its in-house 4680 “Bharat Cell” battery pack and quietly launched a battery energy storage (BESS) product line, while Reliance is pushing sodium-ion cell commercialisation alongside LFP, targeting a 40 GWh Jamnagar gigafactory in 2026.

Below is a clear, source-linked breakdown of what’s official, the chemistry trade-offs, jobs & exports, supply-chain gaps, and a 90-day watch-list—plus a brief ethics note so growth stays responsible. 

What’s officially live (and certified)

Ola’s 4680 “Bharat Cell” battery pack clears ARAI

• Certification: Ola’s indigenously developed 4680 Bharat Cell battery pack (5.2 kWh) has received ARAI certification under AIS-156 Amendment 4—the latest safety regime notified by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways. Multiple outlets and trade journals reported the approval on Oct 28, 2025.
  
• On-vehicle deployment: Coverage since early November indicates deliveries of scooter variants using the 4680 pack have begun, signalling start of field ramp.
  

Ola’s BESS play begins with “Ola Shakti”

• Home storage: Ola has listed Ola Shakti, a portable home battery/solar backup system powered by the 4680 Bharat cell, marking its move into stationary storage. Company materials also pitch grid-adjacent use cases.
  
• Capacity ramp (company guidance): Recent reporting pegs Ola’s cell capacity at ~2.5 GWh commissioned (Q2 FY26), with a glidepath to ~5.9 GWh by Mar 2026 and ~20 GWh by FY27, part of which feeds the BESS line. (Company statements via business media.)
  

Reliance sets 2026 clock on Jamnagar cell gigafactory

• Official roadmap: Reliance’s New Energy & Materials page reiterates a battery gigafactory by 2026 to make battery chemicals, cells, packs, containerised storage and run recycling—with LFP first and sodium-ion fast-tracked.
  
• Scale: Multiple energy trade outlets summarise a 40 GWh initial capacity in 2026, modularly expandable to 100 GWh, as conveyed during RIL’s AGM commentary.
  
• Schedule context: Business press has noted timeline extensions under India’s ACC-PLI scheme even as the 2026 target stands.
  

Chemistry face-off: 4680 NMC vs Sodium-Ion (and LFP)

4680 (cylindrical) in simple terms

• What it is: A 46×80 mm cylindrical cell format popularised for high energy density and fast manufacturing. Ola’s pack uses 4680-format cells, integrated into AIS-156 Amd.4-compliant modules/packs.
  
• Pros: High Wh/L and Wh/kg potential; good power delivery; mature thermal pathways in cylindrical designs.
  
• Cons: Typically NMC chemistry → higher nickel/cobalt exposure (cost & sourcing), though pack design/thermal management and safety testing mitigate on-road risk.
  

Sodium-ion—why Reliance is bullish

• What it is: Na-ion substitutes sodium for lithium; lower material cost, strong low-temperature performance, and inherently safer cathodes.
  
• Pros: Cost-down potential; cobalt/nickel-free; excellent for stationary storage and urban two-wheelers/three-wheelers where volumetric density demands are moderate.
  
• Cons: Lower energy density vs NMC/LFP today; requires new supply chain (anodes, electrolytes, separators) tuned to Na-ion.
  
• Status: Reliance—after acquiring UK-based Faradion—says it is fast-tracking sodium-ion commercialisation as part of the 2026 Jamnagar complex alongside LFP.
  

Where LFP sits

• Role: LFP (LiFePO₄) is the workhorse for cost-effective, long-life, safer EV packs and BESS. Reliance positions LFP for “world-beating lifecycle costs” at Jamnagar while sodium-ion scales.
  

Market impact: two paths to localisation

Vehicles first, grid next (Ola)

• Two-wheeler moat: ARAI-cleared 4680 packs give Ola headroom on range and performance in premium scooters. Initial deployments create a feedback loop to improve yield/quality before wider OEM sales.
  
• BESS adjacency: Ola Shakti seeds a stationary line powered by the same cell family—useful for rooftop PV backup and time-of-day shifting in homes/SMEs.
  

Grid-scale first, mass platforms next (Reliance)

• Containerised storage: Jamnagar’s scope includes containerised BESS—a natural first home for LFP and, later, sodium-ion given cost and safety.
  
• Auto after ramp: As Na-ion improves, expect pilots in 2W/3W fleets and city buses where overnight depot charging and moderate energy density suffice.
  

Jobs, capex & exports—what to expect into 2026

• Employment: Gigafactories of 20–40 GWh typically employ thousands directly (operators, quality, maintenance) and many more in logistics and materials; Reliance cites cells + packs + recycling under one campus, raising services and O&M headcount.
  
• Export option: Both cells and containerised BESS are exportable; timing depends on yield and safety certifications at scale.
  
• Domestic substitution: As 4680/Na-ion/LFP production stabilises, India reduces import dependence on cells, packs, and eventually battery chemicals.
  

Supply-chain realities (the gaps to close)

• Cathode/anode materials: Full backward integration (precursors, binders, foils) will lag cell assembly in 2026; Jamnagar’s battery chemicals line is intended to narrow the gap.
  
• Separators/electrolytes: Na-ion requires distinct formulations; vendor development is in progress globally.
  
• Recycling: Reliance’s plan includes recycling; India needs robust black-mass and metal recovery capacity for closed-loop economics.
  

Safety & compliance—why the certifications matter

• AIS-156 Amd.4: India’s upgraded EV-battery safety standard adds stricter thermal-runaway, vibration, water ingress, and charge safety tests. Ola’s ARAI clearance under this regime is a high bar for local packs.
  
• BESS standards: Stationary systems must meet IS/IEC safety norms (isolation, fire detection/suppression); watch for BIS/CEA circulars as BESS deployments scale.
  

What to track next

1. Ola: production-volume disclosures for 4680 cells; more scooter SKUs using the certified pack; Ola Shakti retail roll-out (specs, pricing).
   
2. Reliance: Jamnagar civil/MEP milestones, pilot lines, chemistry announcements (LFP vs Na-ion first output), and containerised BESS orders.
   
3. Policy: ACC-PLI tranche updates and state-level incentives for ancillaries (separators, copper foil, binders). 

Progress with a Moral Circuit

As India races to scale EV cells and BESS, Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj’s guidance truthfulness, non-harm, service, and restraint—offers a practical checklist: be truthful with safety and performance logs (AIS-156 outcomes, thermal incidents, energy/kWh produced); design for non-harm by prioritising safer chemistries and end-of-life recycling; practise service by reserving affordable storage solutions for rural clinics, schools, and MSMEs that face the sharpest outages; and show restraint in sourcing and data—cut cobalt risks where possible, minimise environmental footprint, and keep customer telemetry strictly opt-in.

The result is battery progress that powers growth without short-circuiting people or the planet. For deeper context, see jagatgururampalji.org, the official YouTube channel.

Call to Action

For buyers & fleets

What to check now

• Ask for AIS-156 Amd.4 compliance and warranty specifics (cycle life, calendar life).
  
• For BESS, confirm fire safety features, service SLAs, and recycling take-back.
  

For policymakers & industry

Converting momentum into depth

• Accelerate upstream materials investments (LFP precursors, Na-ion electrolytes) and recycling permits.
  
• Tie incentives to independent safety audits, energy budgets, and local R&D.
  

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