Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest producer of aluminium, has expanded its fleet of electric forklifts, making it the largest fleet of electric lithium-ion forklifts in the country. The company has deployed a total of 44 units across its operations in Odisha and Chhattisgarh, including India’s first-ever 10-ton electric forklift at its Jharsuguda plant in Odisha. Additionally, Vedanta Aluminium has introduced 3-ton and 5-ton electric forklifts at its alumina refinery in Lanjigarh, Odisha, and at its subsidiary BALCO in Korba, Chhattisgarh.
The expansion of the electric forklift fleet aligns with Vedanta Aluminium’s commitment to sustainable operations. By decarbonizing its industrial vehicle fleet, the company aims to reduce carbon emissions and fuel consumption, contributing to its goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. The introduction of electric lithium-ion forklifts is expected to result in a potential reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 1,600 tonnes of CO2 equivalent annually. The 10-ton forklift alone can decrease emissions by up to 85 tonnes of CO2 per year, per vehicle. Moreover, the shift to electric forklifts will lead to significant savings in diesel consumption, estimated at over 5.1 lakh litres per year.
Vedanta Aluminium has also set targets for decarbonizing its Light Motor Vehicle (LMV) fleet by 2030 and its mining fleet by 2035. In the previous fiscal year, the company introduced 27 forklifts at its Jharsuguda plant, establishing the largest electric forklift fleet in the country at the time. Encouraged by the decarbonization benefits achieved through the initial fleet, Vedanta Aluminium has expanded the fleet size to 44 units across all its plants. s
To enhance safety and efficiency, the electric forklifts are equipped with an IoT-based ‘Smart Fleet Management’ system. This technology enables real-time monitoring of forklift performance, facilitating predictive maintenance and ensuring high on-site safety standards. The forklifts also feature forward and reverse cameras for improved visibility, red-zone lights, blue spotlights to create a safe operating zone, and an automatic deceleration mechanism while turning.
In addition to their sustainability benefits, Vedanta Aluminium’s electric forklifts are part of the company’s efforts to increase gender diversity in core manufacturing operations. Women and transgender professionals are being trained to operate these advanced forklifts, contributing to the company’s goal of promoting inclusivity and diversity.
Mr. Sunil Gupta, COO of Vedanta Ltd.- Aluminium Business, emphasized the company’s commitment to accelerating the transition to a net-zero future. He highlighted their dedication to exploring and implementing innovative practices that enhance sustainability performance while maintaining the production of high-quality aluminium. Vedanta Aluminium’s partnership with GEAR India, a leader in sustainable material handling solutions, further emphasizes their commitment to advancing clean and efficient electric mobility and material handling.
Vedanta Aluminium, a business of Vedanta Limited, plays a significant role in India’s aluminium industry, manufacturing over half of the country’s aluminium production. The company is known for its sustainable development practices and ranks second in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for the aluminium industry. With its world-class facilities, Vedanta Aluminium aims to promote emerging applications of aluminium as the ‘Metal of the Future’ for a greener tomorrow.
