NEW DELHI: The government has asked Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) to allow manufacturers interested in producing indigenous lithium-ion batteries, including those from private sector, to obtain the technology for its mass production. "The cabinet secretary has asked Isro to create a framework for enabling even interested private players to obtain the technology for mass production.Only one agency producing them will not be enough. The cost will come down only when we will have huge production to meet the demand," an official said, who was present in the meeting. Gadkari chaired this meeting.Government documents show the cost of lithium-ion batteries is high because of small volume of procurement. Bulk procurement and mass production can reduce the cost by 80%, which is key to push demand.

Source: Times of India April 08, 2017 23:59 UTC