March 20, 2025: Advances in lead battery technology can boost India’s energy sector, promote sustainability and strengthen the country’s role as a global battery leader, the head of Luminous Power Technologies has said.

CEO and MD Preeti Bajaj, who became president of the Indian Battery Manufacturers Association (IBMA) last year, said the organization’s priorities included making the lead battery supply chain one of the most robust.

The IBMA is keeping a close eye on the sector to ensure it remains strong, despite geopolitical tensions worldwide, Bajaj said in an interview published on February 21 by online publication ‘Mobility Outlook’.

The purpose of the IBMA is to make lead acid batteries the most robust technology, stretching it to the limit on all aspects including performance parameters, she said.

Development of energy density, charging speed and durability of the technology is also a key focus for the IBMA.

Manufacturers should be working to ensure lead acid batteries “become the strongest and most unparalleled” choice for energy storage.

In terms of sustainability, Bajaj said the exceptional recyclability of lead batteries was a stand-out feature that puts the technology at the heart of a strong recycling ecosystem in India.

As the adoption of electric vehicles continues to grow in the region, Bajaj said that for lead acid batteries, the EV market is primarily focused on e-rickshaws and two-wheelers. In those segments, Asia and Africa present significant growth potential over the next few decades.

“In the safety domain, lead acid is the safest technology among all the commercial technologies, but given the rising application demands we are continuously working towards making batteries safer.”

Luminous, part of the Schneider Electric group, joined the Consortium for Battery Innovation last year.

Batteries International reported last July that Bajaj had been recognized at the Women in Energy Forum 2024 as part of India Storage Week.