The facility, built with a capital investment of ₹ 500 crores and spread across 5 acres within an industrial park, represents Hindalco’s foray into EV component manufacturing and is designed to cater to the growing demand for lightweight, crash-resistant battery solutions. The facility is designed to meet the rising demand for lightweight, crash-resistant battery enclosures in the country, reinforcing the company’s commitment to innovation and sustainable mobility. It currently can produce 80,000 enclosures annually, with plans to scale up to 160,000 units. As of today, over 3,000 Mahindra EVs using these aluminium battery packs are already on Indian roads.

Speaking on this development, Satish Pai, MD, Hindalco Industries Limited, said, “Our Chakan facility represents a strategic shift in India’s EV ecosystem from import dependence to high-performance, localised aluminium solutions. We are proud to partner with Mahindra in this journey, which not only reflects our commitment to the mobility transition but also highlights Mahindra’s leadership in driving the electrification of mobility in India. With our engineering strengths and sustainability focus, we are well-positioned to co-create the next generation of automotive solutions.”

Rajesh Jejurikar, ED and CEO (Auto and Farm Sector), Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) said, “Mahindra is excited to partner with Hindalco in the creation of the EV journey. Their expertise in developing materials and strong engineering capabilities to offer new solutions has played a key role in developing efficient and sustainable battery enclosure solutions. We believe this will play a transformative role in shaping the future of mobility, delivering cutting-edge solutions that will accelerate electrification in the sector.”

The battery enclosure co-developed with Mahindra offers up to 40% weight reduction over traditional steel designs, enabling 8–10% improvement in the vehicle’s driving range, enhanced crash safety, and significantly improved thermal management for battery cooling. Additionally, these enclosures also use low-carbon aluminium, underscoring Hindalco’s commitment to sustainability and innovation.

The Chakan facility is expected to generate up to 1,000 jobs and aligns strongly with the government’s ‘Make in India’ vision to reduce dependence on imports. Another key highlight of the plant is its gender-diverse workforce, with nearly 100% women machine operators, a rarity in the manufacturing sector, demonstrating Hindalco’s strong commitment to inclusivity.

With this milestone, Hindalco plans to scale similar capabilities for other Indian and global OEMs, expanding its aluminium offerings to include structural and crash-relevant parts for both EVs and internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.

As India’s EV value chain matures, the demand for battery-grade aluminium and associated components is expected to surge, driven by the rapid growth of giga-factories and localised cell manufacturing. Hindalco’s investment in future-focused capabilities is a strategic move to stay ahead of this curve.

The post Hindalco Supplies 10,000 Aluminium Battery Enclosures to Mahindra from Chakan appeared first on NRI News.

MUMBAI: In a landmark partnership, that bridges the worlds of gaming and automotive innovation, KRAFTON India and Mahindra have joined hands to bring Mahindra’s Electric Origin SUV- BE 6 into the dynamic universe of BATTLEGROUNDS MOBILE INDIA (BGMI). This unique partnership offers consumers an immersive experience, aiming to captivate the aspirations of India’s young, tech-savvy audience. 

With this first-of-its-kind collaboration, starting January 16, 2025, BGMI players will be able to interact with the sporty and performance-driven Mahindra BE 6 within the game, bringing a new level of realism and excitement to the virtual battleground. Players can unlock a range of exclusive items inspired by the BE 6, including Suits like Quantum and Chrono Charge, and gameplay tools like Volt Tracer Gun, Neon Drop BE6 Parachute, Flashvault BE 6 Backpack, SparkStrike Pan, and more. Special missions during the collaboration will also reward players with unique prizes such as Mahindra Event Crates, Gifts, and a chance to win real Mahindra BE 6.

“This collaboration marks a major milestone in KRAFTON India’s efforts to deliver truly immersive and localized experiences for Indian gamers”, said Seddharth Merrotra, Head of Business Development at KRAFTON India. “Mahindra, an iconic Indian brand known for innovation, and the BE 6 with its sporty and high-end tech, was a natural fit for BGMI’s futuristic and immersive universe. By integrating the BE 6 into BGMI, we’re not only bringing culturally resonant content to the game but also creating unique opportunities for our players to engage with the best of India’s innovation. Henceforth, setting a new benchmark in consumer engagement, captivating automotive and gaming enthusiasts alike. It further paves the way for many more groundbreaking updates as we continue to explore new ways to captivate our community.”

Veejay Nakra, President – Automotive Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., and Joint Managing Director, Mahindra Electric Automobile Limited added, “At Mahindra, we are redefining electric mobility with the BE 6. Built on our revolutionary INGLO architecture and powered by MAIA, the fastest automotive mind in the world, the BE 6 is crafted for those who thrive on the thrill of adventure and innovation. Our collaboration with KRAFTON India brings the BE 6 into the virtual realm of BGMI. By merging automotive excellence with gaming innovation, we aim to engage India’s vibrant, tech-savvy audience, delivering thrilling experiences.”

In a move that takes collaboration beyond the virtual world, KRAFTON and Mahindra are offering players a chance to win a real Mahindra BE 6 eSUV. Participants can enter by first completing the Mahindra BE 6 Exchange Centre missions to collect the “Nitro Wheel” & redeem the “Mahindra Event Crate” followed by creating a short video (10–30 seconds) showcasing the BE 6 in BGMI and posting it on Instagram or YouTube. To qualify, players must tag BGMI’s and Mahindra Electric’s official accounts and use the hashtags #BGMIxMahindra and #UnleashTheCharge. This contest offers a thrilling opportunity for one lucky gamer to take home the electric SUV. Terms and conditions apply.

The post KRAFTON and Mahindra Introduce the Electric Origin SUV – BE 6 in BATTLEGROUNDS MOBILE INDIA appeared first on NRI News.