Building Better Batteries in India: A Conversation with the Founders of Triolt Energy
India doesn’t yet make its own lithium-ion cells—but Triolt Energy is changing that. Founded in 2022 by Ananya Rau, Rajesh, and Raghu—all PhDs from IIT Madras and IISc—the startup is building fast-charging lithium-ion cells that are better suited to Indian conditions. We sat down with the founders to understand what makes their technology special, how they’re taking it to market, and what it takes to build a battery company from scratch in India.
From Lab Work to Startup
The trio met over a decade ago during their PhDs, working on lithium-ion batteries at IIT Madras and IISc. Their interest in battery technology started early and with good reason.
“Even today, all the cells used in India are imported. There’s no cell manufacturing ecosystem here,” says Raghu.
As India’s EV and deeptech ecosystem matured, the three co-founders launched Triolt in 2022 with the mission to develop and manufacture high-performance lithium-ion cells locally.
Why Is It So Hard to Make Lithium-ion Cells in India?
Building lithium-ion cells isn’t like assembling consumer electronics. It’s a deep electrochemical problem with 100+ interdependent parameters.
“You need to understand not just the materials, but how they behave together during charging, especially under stress,” says Ananya.
Indian players trying to enter this space often license older tech from abroad—tech not designed for India’s harsh thermal conditions.
Fast-Charging Cells, Built for India
Triolt’s edge? Their cells charge in under 20 minutes, work reliably at 45°C+, and last more than 1,800 cycles. That’s a huge step up over current commercial options.
“We deliberately picked NMC chemistry because it’s the hardest to optimize. If we can do it here, we can do it for any chemistry,” says Rajesh.
The team’s innovations span from electrode design to cathode material selection, cell architecture, and electrolyte tuning. It’s hard to copy—and harder to reverse engineer.
Where Are They Now?
Triolt is conducting field trials with electric two-wheeler OEMs and has built a pilot line producing over 200 cells per week. They’re now raising funds to scale to a 50 MWh facility, enough to power 16,000 bikes annually.
“We don’t want to scale too fast. We want to grow with the market,” Rajesh says.
They’re focused on the two-wheeler segment initially but plan to expand into four-wheelers, drones, and other applications over time.
Getting Here: Grants, Grit, and Growth
Their journey started at IIIT Hyderabad with a NIDHI PRAYAS grant, followed by support from MeitY, UNIDO, and IITM Research Park. Along the way, they secured early funding from LetsVenture, Campus Fund, and CIIE.
“We scaled from a 500 ml lab mixer to a 7-liter process. Every change in size brought new challenges,” recalls Ananya.
Risks Ahead—and Why They’re Ready
The path ahead includes real challenges: supply chain dependency, evolving chemistries, and the environmental impact of battery manufacturing.
“Battery R&D is a long game, but that’s our strength. We’ve been in this space for over a decade,” says Rajesh.
Triolt’s deep research DNA, agility, and India-first mindset may give them a long-term advantage.
Final Word
Fast-charging, long-lasting, heat-resilient batteries—made in India, for India. Triolt Energy is building more than a cell. They’re building the foundation for India’s battery independence.
