Hindalco Industries Ltd., the metals arm of the Aditya Birla Group and one of the world’s largest aluminium producers, has announced the delivery of 10,000 aluminium battery enclosures to Mahindra for its next-generation electric SUVs – the BE 6 and XUV 9e. This milestone marks a major step forward in India’s journey toward clean mobility. The announcement coincides with the launch of Hindalco’s cutting-edge EV component manufacturing facility in Chakan, Pune—India’s leading automotive hub.
Developed with a ?500 crore investment, the 5-acre facility represents Hindalco’s strategic entry into EV component manufacturing. It is designed to meet growing demand for lightweight and crash-resistant battery enclosures in India’s electric vehicle market. Currently, the facility has an annual capacity of 80,000 enclosures, with plans to double it to 160,000 units. Already, over 3,000 Mahindra EVs equipped with these aluminium enclosures are operational on Indian roads.
Commenting on the development, Satish Pai, Managing Director of Hindalco Industries Ltd., said:
“Our Chakan facility signals a shift in India’s EV ecosystem—from reliance on imports to high-performance, locally manufactured aluminium solutions. Our collaboration with Mahindra underlines our commitment to sustainable mobility and innovation. With strong engineering and sustainability capabilities, we aim to co-create the next generation of automotive technologies.”
Rajesh Jejurikar, Executive Director and CEO (Auto and Farm Sector) at Mahindra & Mahindra, added:
“We’re proud to partner with Hindalco in shaping India’s EV future. Their material expertise and engineering strength have been vital in developing sustainable and efficient battery enclosure solutions that will drive the next phase of electric mobility.”
The newly developed enclosures offer up to 40% weight reduction compared to traditional steel designs, improving vehicle range by 8–10%, enhancing crash safety, and boosting thermal management for battery cooling. Manufactured using low-carbon aluminium, these enclosures reflect both companies’ focus on sustainability.
The Chakan facility is expected to create up to 1,000 jobs and aligns with the government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative. A notable aspect of the plant is its commitment to inclusivity, with nearly 100% of its machine operators being women—an uncommon sight in the manufacturing sector.
Looking ahead, Hindalco plans to expand its capabilities to supply aluminium components, including structural and crash-critical parts, to both domestic and global OEMs for EVs and traditional vehicles alike. As India’s EV ecosystem rapidly evolves—with increasing demand for battery-grade aluminium and the rise of giga-factories—Hindalco’s forward-looking investments position it to be a key enabler in the country’s electric mobility transformation.