Agratas Energy Storage Solutions, the Tata Group's battery arm, has seen the resignation of board member Gordon Louis Chin, who represented Chinese technology partner AESC Apollo. The move marks a strategic pivot as the company moves to internalize its battery manufacturing and R&D capabilities for critical projects, including a major supply contract with Jaguar Land Rover.
Agratas Energy Storage Solutions, a central pillar in the Tata Group’s electric vehicle supply chain, has undergone a boardroom change with the departure of Gordon Louis Chin. Chin, who served as a board member representing Chinese battery technology firm AESC Apollo, stepped down as the company intensifies its transition toward internalizing manufacturing and research processes.
This shift comes as Agratas prepares to scale production at its massive battery manufacturing facilities. The company is currently developing a 20 GWh plant in Sanand, Gujarat, and a 40 GWh facility in Somerset, UK. These projects are critical to the Tata Group’s ambition to secure its own battery supply, headlined by a seven-year, $530 million (approximately ₹5,000 crore) battery supply contract with Jaguar Land Rover that is set to begin this fiscal year.
To reduce reliance on external technical partners, Agratas has significantly increased its own investment in technology. The company’s expenditure on research and development rose sharply to £20.9 million in FY26, compared to £7.7 million the previous year. This capital is being directed toward mastering nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) and lithium ferrous phosphate (LFP) battery technologies, moving away from the need for external technical support.
While the company works to scale its output, it faces several execution and operational challenges. The Somerset facility in the UK has dealt with construction contractor changes and budget pressures, which are common for large-scale industrial projects but require close monitoring. Additionally, the company must navigate the complex landscape of global technology transfers. With China imposing stricter export controls on certain battery manufacturing technologies, the firm’s ability to successfully develop in-house expertise is critical to maintaining its production timeline.
For investors observing the Tata Group’s broader automotive and energy ecosystem, the success of Agratas is a key long-term indicator. By internalizing battery technology, the group aims to gain better control over its EV supply chain and long-term profit margins. However, the path ahead depends on the company's ability to avoid project delays, manage rising construction costs, and successfully scale its R&D efforts. The primary updates to track in the coming quarters will be the commissioning status of the Gujarat and Somerset plants and the successful integration of in-house technology into the production line for the upcoming Jaguar Land Rover supply contract.