Non-Lithium Batteries Could Cut India’s Storage Imports, Says Report

India could reduce its dependence on imported battery storage systems to 50–52 percent as domestic manufacturing expands and alternative battery technologies gain ground, according to a survey by the NetZero Energy Transition Association (NETRA).

The survey identifies vanadium redox flow, sodium-ion, zinc-based and iron-based batteries as technologies that could complement lithium-ion systems. It gathered views from industry leaders, utilities, battery manufacturers, project developers, researchers and other manufacturers in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad.

India’s battery energy storage system (BESS) market is forecast to grow rapidly. Industry estimates cited in the survey put its compound annual growth rate at 91 percent between FY26 and FY32, with cumulative capacity projected to increase from 6.3 GWh to 302 GWh. The growth is expected to be driven by renewable energy integration and demand for round-the-clock power.

That expansion comes as India remains heavily reliant on overseas suppliers. The survey estimates that 89–91 percent of the country’s battery storage systems and lithium-ion batteries are currently sourced from abroad. It also reports that lithium battery prices in India fluctuated by more than 25 percent over the past year, amid raw-material constraints, currency movements and international market pressures.

Among respondents, 61 percent said that expanding domestic innovation and manufacturing in the four non-lithium chemistries could significantly reduce reliance on imported solutions. More than half, 54 percent, said imports could account for 50–52 percent of storage supply by 2032 if commercial-scale deployment and targeted investment take hold.

Research and industry activity is already developing in India. Research institutions including ARCI, IMMT, NCL and IIT Bombay are working on sodium-ion cell technology. Companies including Rechargion, HPCL, Oden Energy, Macsen Energy and Uneverse are developing cell and pack solutions for grid and industrial use.

Globally, sodium-ion cell manufacturing capacity has crossed 10 GWh this year, according to the release, with further expansion planned. In vanadium redox flow batteries, VFT, formerly Vflowtech, and Delectrik Systems are installing systems in India and overseas, targeting long-duration storage and grid flexibility.

“India’s energy security will depend not only on how much storage we deploy, but on the diversity and indigenisation of the technologies behind it,” said Dr. Rahul Walawalkar, NETRA president. He said that the different battery chemistries could serve distinct applications, durations and geographies, and that building domestic capabilities would help reduce import dependence and strengthen grid resilience.

Dr. Saroj Sahu, CEO and co-founder of Golden Gate Battery, said that zinc-based batteries could support domestic manufacturing and reduce reliance on imported lithium. “Advanced zinc-bromine technology can deliver safe, affordable, long-duration energy storage while positioning India as a global leader in next-generation battery manufacturing,” Sahu said.

NETRA plans to present the survey report at the BEYOND LITHIUM SUMMIT 2026 in New Delhi on 24 October. The event is focused on battery technologies beyond lithium-ion and is expected to bring together more than 100 companies and research organisations to discuss India’s multi-chemistry storage ecosystem.