Exide Industries Targets ₹500 Crore Export Boost, Speeds Up Lithium-Ion Expansion

Exide Industries is positioning itself for a significant export revival and long-term electric mobility expansion, as favourable international trade developments and a new European partnership strengthen its global growth strategy.

The Kolkata-headquartered battery major expects to generate an additional ₹400–500 crore in export revenue beginning next financial year. The projected jump is driven by an exclusive tie-up with a European partner and improving market access under the India–US trade arrangement as well as the evolving India–EU trade framework. While the identity of the European collaborator and the structure of the partnership remain undisclosed, company leadership indicated that the alliance forms a key pillar of Exide’s renewed overseas push.

Managing Director and CEO Avik Roy said exports, which had slipped to around 5 per cent of total revenue amid geopolitical disruptions, could rise to 8–9 per cent in the coming fiscal. The company will focus on premium battery segments in Europe, including solutions for forklifts, material handling equipment and high-end passenger vehicles. These products will largely be supplied under private labels , allowing Exide to leverage manufacturing scale while partners handle branding.

Alongside its export drive, the company is deepening its transition into advanced energy storage. Through its wholly owned subsidiary Exide Energy Solutions Ltd (EESL) , Exide is advancing its lithium-ion battery roadmap. EESL Managing Director and CEO Pravin Saraf said validation processes for two- and three-wheeler batteries are underway, with production expected to begin by March–April 2026. Lithium-ion batteries for four-wheelers are likely to follow within the next one to two years.

Investment in the lithium-ion segment remains substantial. Exide plans to invest ₹1,400 crore in FY27 , including ₹500 crore in the final quarter of the current fiscal, taking total lithium-ion investments to nearly ₹4,800 crore . Despite the aggressive expansion, Roy said the company expects to remain debt-free , funding capital expenditure through internal accruals. At the same time, Exide continues to invest about ₹500 crore annually in its traditional lead-acid battery operations, reflecting a dual strategy that balances legacy strength with future technologies.

Demand conditions remain supportive, with the company targeting high single-digit to double-digit growth . Exide aims to achieve a topline of ₹20,000 crore within three years and ₹25,000 crore by 2030 , with lithium-ion batteries expected to become a major revenue driver.

The broader trade environment is emerging as a key enabler. Reduced tariff barriers and improved market access under recent trade understandings are enhancing competitiveness for Indian manufacturers in Western markets. For Exide, these shifts provide an opportunity to scale exports while building capabilities for the fast-growing electric vehicle ecosystem.

Together, the export revival and lithium-ion expansion mark a pivotal phase for Exide, as it seeks to evolve from a dominant domestic lead-acid battery maker into a globally relevant player in advanced energy storage.