Prototype of Tata Tiago EV with aluminium-air batteries displayed at Auto Expo India 2023

Phinergy, an Israeli clean energy company, displayed the Tata Tiago EV vehicle prototype at Auto Expo India 2023 that was fitted with their aluminium-air battery technology. The energy generated when metal reacts with oxygen is used by Phinergy's technology to create electricity. The aluminium anode serves as a fuel by immediately collecting oxygen from the air and "breaking" the water into hydroxide.

The outer layer of aluminium gradually transforms back into alumina hydroxide during the power-generation process. The aluminium air battery must be replaced after the metal has been used, as recharge is not an option.

"We are presenting for the first time a Tata vehicle powered by the energy created by Phinergy. This system is based on aluminum, which is widely available in India, unlike what happens with lithium", said David Mayer, CEO of the developer.

The Phinergy aluminium-air battery is lighter than traditional batteries since it does not utilise hefty electrodes like normal batteries. The manufacturer highlights further benefits. These include the ability to use aluminium in a solid state, which is considerably easier to store, and the material's high energy density comparable to gasoline.

It is anticipated that this technology will assist manufacturers in reducing the size of the batteries used in automobiles. The lithium-ion batteries used in the Tiago EV are the current industry standard. Furthermore noteworthy is that aluminium, the third most frequent element in the earth's crust, is eternally recyclable and may be reused without losing its physical-chemical characteristics.