Ola Electric has pushed back strongly against what it calls a “targeted attack” from South Korea’s LG Energy Solution, claiming that the foreign giant is trying to undermine India’s progress in advanced battery technology.
In a statement filed with the stock exchange on Sunday (November 9, 2025), the Bengaluru-based EV maker said LG Energy’s reaction stems from a “fear of losing market share,” especially as Ola ramps up production of its new 4680 Bharat Cell.
Ola Calls Reports Misleading
The company was responding to a series of media reports—first published in South Korea and later picked up by a few Indian outlets—which claimed that a former LG Energy executive had tried to share intellectual property related to pouch-cell technology with Ola Electric.
Ola dismissed these claims as “baseless” and said the timing of the reports was “highly suspicious.” According to the company, “a misleading narrative of tech intrigue” is being circulated to discredit India’s growing presence in the global clean-energy space.
Ola’s Take on the Tech Controversy
In its statement, Ola clarified that its 4680 Bharat Cell is entirely homegrown and “based on the most advanced dry electrode technology in a cylindrical form factor.” The company also claimed this technology is more sophisticated than the pouch-cell technology mentioned in the South Korean reports.
Essentially, Ola’s position is clear—it doesn’t need to copy anyone.
What Exactly Is the 4680 Bharat Cell?
The 4680 Bharat Cell is Ola Electric’s flagship lithium-ion cell, developed and manufactured at its Gigafactory in Tamil Nadu by Ola Cell Technologies Pvt. Ltd. The name “4680” refers to its dimensions—46 mm wide and 80 mm tall—similar to the format used by global EV leaders like Tesla.
Ola claims it is the first Indian company to design and produce battery cells fully in-house, a key step in its vertically integrated manufacturing strategy. These cells are now being used in Ola’s upcoming electric two-wheelers and in its high-performance Ola Shakti battery packs.
Rising Competition in the EV Battery Market
According to Ola, the recent reports emerged just as its 4680 Bharat Cell entered commercial production—a move that places it in direct competition with Korean battery giants in India’s fast-growing EV market.
The company called the reports “insidious” and suggested they were intended to sow doubt about the credibility of Indian innovations in energy storage technology.
Heavy Investments in Innovation
Backed by founder Bhavish Aggarwal, Ola Electric has been heavily investing in research and production capacity. The company revealed that it currently holds 720 patent filings, with 124 already granted.
Its Battery Innovation Centre in Bengaluru and the Gigafactory in Tamil Nadu together represent a capital investment of ₹2,500 crore. These facilities are central to Ola’s goal of making India self-reliant in advanced cell manufacturing.
The Bigger Picture
As India accelerates its push toward electric mobility and local manufacturing, Ola’s 4680 Bharat Cell project has become a symbol of that ambition. But with global competition heating up, the battle for control of the battery supply chain is clearly getting personal.
