Vedanta Aluminium has expanded its electric forklift fleet to 142 vehicles, establishing what the company describes as India’s largest industrial electric forklift operation. The expansion represents more than double the previous fleet size and spans the company’s operations in Odisha and Chhattisgarh.
The announcement coincides with World Sustainable Transport Day, observed annually on November 26 by the United Nations to highlight the role of sustainable transport systems in economic growth and environmental protection.
The deployment includes 116 electric forklifts at the Jharsuguda smelter, which is projected to eliminate approximately 4,450 tonnes of CO₂-equivalent emissions annually and reduce diesel consumption by 1.63 million litres per year. The initiative also includes the deployment of India’s first 10-tonne capacity electric forklifts at the same facility.
“At Vedanta Aluminium, we view sustainability as more than a commitment, it is a catalyst for transformation,” said Rajiv Kumar, CEO of Vedanta Aluminium. “Our expanded electric forklift fleet is a testament to what becomes possible when we invest in technologies that benefit both our operations and our planet.”
The company reports that several of the forklifts are operated by women and transgender professionals, representing an effort to increase workplace diversity in industrial roles. The transition to electric forklifts is part of Vedanta’s stated goal to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and decarbonize its light motor vehicle fleet by 2030.
Vedanta Aluminium produces more than half of India’s aluminium output, manufacturing 2.42 million tonnes in FY25. The company ranks second in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2024 world rankings for the aluminium industry.