World-class tech isn’t the domain of the West anymore: Ola CEO to Musk
The world of technology is constantly evolving, and the dynamics of innovation are shifting rapidly. Gone are the days when the West was considered the hub of technological advancements, with the rest of the world playing catch-up. Today, emerging economies, particularly in Asia, are giving the West a run for its money, and the recent exchange between Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Ola Electric founder-CEO Bhavish Aggarwal is a testament to this changing landscape.
Recently, Elon Musk announced that Tesla had achieved a “major breakthrough” by scaling the dry electrode process for lithium battery production. This development is significant, as it has the potential to revolutionize the electric vehicle (EV) industry by making battery production more efficient and cost-effective. However, what caught the attention of many was the response from Bhavish Aggarwal, who tweeted that Ola Electric has been using its dry coating process since last year, with lakhs of cells already in customer vehicles.
Aggarwal’s response was not just a matter of one-upmanship; it was a statement of fact that highlights the rapid progress being made by Indian companies in the field of technology. By saying that “world-class tech isn’t the domain of the West anymore,” Aggarwal was making a bold assertion that India, and by extension, the rest of the emerging world, is capable of developing and deploying cutting-edge technology that is on par with the best in the world.
This exchange between Musk and Aggarwal is not an isolated incident; it is part of a larger trend that is playing out in the world of technology. Indian companies, in particular, have been making significant strides in recent years, with many of them emerging as leaders in their respective fields. From IT and software to e-commerce and fintech, Indian companies have been at the forefront of innovation, and their success has been recognized globally.
The EV industry, in which Ola Electric operates, is a case in point. India has set ambitious targets for the adoption of electric vehicles, with the government aiming to have 30% of all new vehicle sales be electric by 2030. To achieve this goal, Indian companies are investing heavily in EV technology, including battery production, charging infrastructure, and vehicle manufacturing. Ola Electric, in particular, has been at the forefront of this effort, with its plans to produce 10 million electric two-wheelers per year by 2025.
The fact that Ola Electric has been using its dry coating process for battery production since last year is a significant achievement, as it shows that Indian companies are capable of developing and deploying world-class technology. The dry electrode process is a complex technology that requires significant expertise and resources to develop and scale, and the fact that Ola Electric has been able to do so is a testament to the company’s capabilities.
Moreover, the fact that lakhs of cells produced using this process are already in customer vehicles is a significant milestone, as it shows that the technology is not just lab-ready but also production-ready. This is a critical distinction, as many companies are able to develop new technologies in a lab setting, but few are able to scale them up for mass production.
The implications of this development are significant, not just for the EV industry but for the broader technology landscape. It shows that Indian companies are capable of developing and deploying world-class technology, and that they are no longer just limited to being outsourcing hubs for Western companies. This is a significant shift, as it means that Indian companies are now capable of competing with their Western counterparts on an equal footing.
Furthermore, this development has significant implications for the global economy, as it shows that the center of gravity of technological innovation is shifting. The West, particularly the United States, has long been considered the hub of technological innovation, but this is no longer the case. Emerging economies, particularly in Asia, are now driving innovation, and their companies are emerging as leaders in their respective fields.
In conclusion, the exchange between Elon Musk and Bhavish Aggarwal is a significant development that highlights the changing dynamics of technological innovation. The fact that Ola Electric has been using its dry coating process for battery production since last year, with lakhs of cells already in customer vehicles, is a testament to the company’s capabilities and a statement of fact that world-class tech is no longer the domain of the West. As Aggarwal said, “world-class tech isn’t the domain of the West anymore,” and this is a reality that companies and governments around the world need to recognize and adapt to.
About the Author
