India’s e-scooter manufacturer Okinawa has decided to discontinue all lead-acid battery-based vehicle units. The company will substitute lead acid battery with lithium-ion versions, said the company. This is likely to affect demand for lead-acid batteries in the Indian domestic market. The company plans to ramp-up production to 500,000 units by 2020. Currently, the company has capacity to produce 90,000 units.
The company had five models with lead-acid battery before it introduced the lithium-ion detachable battery equipped e-scooter. Good response from customers prompted the company to switch to a 100pc lithium ion battery for two-wheelers.
Lead-acid batteries were the most advanced and convenient type of battery at first, said the company, but lithium-ion batteries are now found to be superior in terms of performance. Most modern-day e-bikes are powered by lithium-ion battery packs. Lead-acid batteries are less expensive than lithium-ion batteries.
Demand for lithium-ion battery gained popularity after India announced FAME-II subsidy covering lithium-ion battery pack scooters.