Vedanta Aluminium has expanded its fleet of electric lithium-ion forklifts to 66 units, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable operations and supporting its decarbonisation journey. The addition of 22 electric forklifts at its smelter operations in Jharsuguda, Odisha, marks a significant step in this direction. This move is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 2,500 tonnes of CO2 equivalent annually and cut diesel consumption by over 8.4 lakh litres per year.
John Slaven, CEO of Vedanta Aluminium, stated, “At Vedanta Aluminium, sustainability is a business imperative. We continuously adopt innovative practices to enhance our operational excellence. The deployment of 66 electric lithium-ion forklifts marks a milestone in accelerating our transition to a Net Zero future.”
The electric forklifts have been deployed across Vedanta Aluminium’s operations in Jharsuguda and Lanjigarh in Odisha, as well as its BALCO smelter in Chhattisgarh. These forklifts feature faster and safer battery charging capabilities, improving operational efficiency and significantly reducing carbon emissions. Through the introduction of electric lithium-ion forklifts, the company aims to mitigate its carbon footprint considerably.
The company has committed to decarbonising 100% of its light motor vehicle (LMV) fleet by 2030. This ongoing effort underscores Vedanta Aluminium’s determination to evaluate and implement emerging technologies to achieve decarbonisation. Vedanta is among India’s pioneering companies adopting sustainable practices, particularly in material handling.
The expansion of the electric forklift fleet forms a part of Vedanta Aluminium’s broader strategy to achieve Net Zero by 2050. To fulfil this commitment, the company adopts a two-fold approach: reducing its carbon footprint by enhancing operational excellence and incorporating more renewables into its energy mix, while also offsetting its carbon emissions through extensive afforestation efforts.
In its operations, Vedanta Aluminium is enabling wider global access to responsibly produced, high-quality aluminium, aiming for a greener future for the planet. Vedanta Aluminium is a business of Vedanta Limited and is the largest manufacturer of aluminium in India, producing more than 2.37 million tonnes in FY24. The company is a leader in value-added aluminium products that find critical applications in core industries.
Reflecting its leading sustainable development practices, Vedanta Aluminium ranks first in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2023 world rankings for the aluminium industry.
