Adani Group denies tie‑up with Chinese EV giants BYD and Beijing Welion for battery manufacturing in India—explore the clean‑energy context, CATL alternatives, growth and implications.
Imagine you’re planning a major home renovation, and a report claims you’re partnering with a pricey designer—even though you haven’t talked to them. That’s the kind of noise swirling around Adani Group denies BYD battery tie‑up. In early August 2025, Bloomberg reported that Adani was in talks with China’s BYD and Beijing Welion to manufacture EV batteries in India, led personally by Gautam Adani. That would seem like a big move in India’s clean‑energy journey—but Adani has called it outright false, misleading, “baseless and inaccurate” Bloomberg.comGreen Hydrogen News+10NewsBytes+10Business Standard+10Business Standardtelematicswire.netAl Jazeera+1Wikipedia+1.
Why does this matter? Batteries are the beating heart of any electric‑vehicle ecosystem—and India is playing catch‑up. If rumors of a BYD tie‑up were true, implications would ripple across auto, grid storage, policymaking, and geopolitics. So what is really happening—with rumors, denials, and a possible pivot to CATL? And what should readers, entrepreneurs, or energy‑curious minds take away?
🛠️ Body
Bloomberg’s Report Explained
What Bloomberg claimed: According to unnamed sources, the Adani Group was exploring a partnership with BYD and Beijing Welion New Energy Technology to produce lithium‑ion batteries in India. It went further—saying Gautam Adani was personally leading these early-stage discussions. The hoped outcome: build battery gigafactories as part of Adani’s clean energy expansion NewsBytesBusiness Standard.
The idea wasn’t far‑fetched. BYD is the world’s largest EV battery supplier, and its LFP‑based Blade Batteries are optimized for safety and affordability. India’s Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme and import duty exemptions already encourage such battery manufacturing ventures.
Real-life analogy
Think of it like a student claiming they’re meeting Apple execs to build an app store in their dorm—but the execs haven’t even landed in town. Bloomberg’s report created buzz, but no one had evidence beyond hearsay.
Key takeaway
Bloomberg described what might be happening; Adani says definitively it is not.
Adani’s Firm Denial
On 4 August 2025, Adani Enterprises issued an official statement: “We categorically deny Bloomberg’s report … this report is baseless, inaccurate and misleading.” There are no ongoing talks, no formal discussions with BYD or Beijing Welion, and no plans to collaborate with them telematicswire.net+1Green Hydrogen News+1NewsBytes+1Business Standard+1.
This is not the first time Adani has denied a major news narrative. Previous U.S. bribery probes and accounting allegations have also been strongly refuted. Still, the wording is unusually absolute—Adani stopped short of using “rumors,” opting for “baseless” and “misleading.”
Example (India context)
It’s like someone denied local media reports that they’ve joined a Bollywood film project—even though a poster was floated. The denial is clear: it didn’t happen.
Key takeaway
When Adani publicly goes beyond “no comment,” it signals serious intent to correct the record.
What Batteries Are Truly on the Horizon?
If not BYD, then what? Multiple credible industry sources confirm that Adani Group is exploring ties with CATL, China’s battery giant—that match India’s ambition and local policy frameworks NewsBytes+1voanews.com+1straitstimes.com+14telematicswire.net+14NewsBytes+14.
Why CATL instead of BYD?
- Policy fit: India’s rules on Chinese FDI in strategic infrastructure are tight. Working through an Indian partner like Adani avoids regulatory roadblocks.
- Tech alignment: CATL’s cobalt‑free LFP cells and emerging sodium‑ion batteries are well suited for India’s climate and grid-storage needs.
- Strategic synergy: Adani already operates clean‑energy and EV‑charging infrastructure; CATL’s container‑based ESS systems (like the 6.25 MWh TENER containers) complement it perfectly.
During Gautam Adani’s June 2025 visit to CATL’s headquarters in China, he toured CATL’s automated “Cell + Module + Container” lines and reviewed sodium‑ion R&D—a clear sign of serious talks Saur Energy+4energetica-india.net+4allindiaev.com+4Business Standard+2Green Hydrogen News+2allindiaev.com+2.
Case studies
- India’s standalone ESS tenders in Q1 2025 reached 6.1 GW—highlighting urgent storage needs allindiaev.com+2Saur Energy+2Green Hydrogen News+2.
- Ola Electric in Chennai began producing cylindrical cell batteries; Adani and others plan to build gigafactories to supply both EVs and grid systems spglobal.com.
Key takeaway
Adani is pivoting toward CATL, a strategically smarter and more policy‑aligned partner than BYD.
Why It Matters for India’s EV and Clean‑Energy Future
LSI terms: gigafactory in India, battery manufacturing India, EV battery_NEWS, energy storage future
1. Lower cost batteries
Local cell manufacturing cuts import tariffs and shipping costs. Combined with PLI incentives, production costs per kWh drop significantly—critical for EV affordability.
2. Supply chain sovereignty
India currently imports most EV batteries—creating strategic vulnerabilities. A domestic gigafactory reduces dependence on geopolitically fragile supply lines.
3. Infrastructure synergy
Adani’s owning EV charging, gas, and renewables arms means batteries could be co‑located at charging stations or solar farms. That vertical integration can boost uptime and customer loyalty.
4. Grid stability and utility contracts
By supplying batteries for 24×7 renewable energy contracts (like those with Google) and industrial clients, Adani could cement its position in India’s energy backbone.
5. Deep tech and employment
Joint‑R&D with CATL in India could seed sodium‑ion innovations and local skill growth—beyond just assembly jobs.
Key takeaway
A true battery collaboration (with CATL) could unlock energy storage, EV adoption, and infrastructure integration at scale. The BYD story was a distraction—but the real pivot matters deeply.
🧠 Section Summaries
- Bloomberg Report Summary: Claimed Chinese‑Indian tie‑up with Adani and BYD/Welion for battery manufacture; Adani said no.
- Official Denial: Adani Enterprises labelled the report false and misleading; no deals, talks, or engagements in place.
- Alternative Path: Adani is now seen in meaningful talks with CATL—aligned with policy, tech and scale.
- India’s Energy Context: Rising EV penetration, urgent battery needs, and grid‑scale ESS tenders make cell manufacturing critical.
- Strategic Importance: Local battery production secures supply, lowers cost, integrates with renewables and charging infrastructure.
CTA
What do you think: should India continue encouraging international battery giants through Indian partners—or focus entirely on homegrown battery projects? Comment below and share your green‑energy ideas with a friend who cares about India’s EV revolution.
Leave a Reply to Neha Yadav Cancel reply