Vedanta Aluminium has expanded India’s largest fleet of electric lithium-ion forklifts with an additional 22 machines.

The new machines will be deployed at Vedanta Aluminium's smelter in Jharsuguda

India’s largest producer of aluminium says it now has 66 electric lithium-ion forklifts as it seeks to reach its goal of net zero by 2050. 

The 22 new electric forklifts will be deployed at Vedanta Aluminium’s smelter in Jharsuguda in the state of Odisha.

“At Vedanta Aluminium, sustainability is a business imperative,” says company chief executive officer John Slaven. 

“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.”

With electric forklifts used at Vedanta Aluminium’s sites in Jharsuguda and Lanjigarh in Odisha, as well as its BALCO smelter in Chhattisgarh, the company says it is reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 2,500 T a year as well as reducing its diesel consumption by more than 840,000 litres per year.

The company has also committed to decarbonizing 100% of its light motor vehicle (LMV) fleet by 2030.