Exide Energy Solutions (EESL) has announced the commissioning of the 6GWh first phase of its lithium ion cell manufacturing facility in India.

EESL, a subsidiary of Exide Industries, said the Karnataka state facility achieved the milestone on September 23.

The achievement came more than four years after lead battery major Exide announced it was also venturing into the lithium sector with Chinese support.

Exide confirmed in March 2022 it had agreed a long-term technical collaboration deal with China’s SVOLT Energy Technology for lithium ion cell manufacturing.

As part of that deal, SVOLT granted Exide an irrevocable right and licence to use, exploit and commercialise technology and know-how owned by them for the venture.

Batteries International reported previously that the first phase of the facility was originally planned to be operational by the end of 2024.

In December 2025, Pravin Ramchandra Saraf took over as MD and CEO of EESL following the resignation of Mandar Deo.