State-owned Indian Oil Corp (IOC) on Monday signed an initial pact with Israel’s Phinergy Ltd for developing ultra-lightweight metal-air batteries that can be used in electric vehicles (EVs).
IOC Chairman Sanjiv Singh and Daniel Carmon, Ambassador of Israel to India, have exchanged a letter of intent (LoI) amidst the visit of Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu to India.
According to PTI, an official statement said that the LoI envisages to “encourage joint Research and development, deployment and manufacturing activities in the area of metal-air batteries for an array of applications, as stationary energy storage systems, electric mobility solutions etc.”
In theory, metal air battery for an EV could be ultra-lightweight and have a long-lasting regenerative cathode with very high ‘energy density’ that can be stored and provided for the car. Commercial applications are being worked on.
IOC also signed a LoI with Yeda Research and Development Co Ltd for cooperation in concentrated solar thermal technologies.
“This LoI intends to encourage joint research activities in the area of concentrated solar thermal technologies including concentrated solar power generation, solar fuels, solar thermal storage materials, technologies, systems and concepts,” the statement said. The two agreements were among the nine pacts signed after talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Netanyahu for bolstering bilateral ties in strategic areas.
