Vedanta Aluminium, has strengthened its position as the country’s biggest user of electric lithium-ion forklifts by adding 66 new vehicles to its fleet. Reiterating its commitment to sustainable operations, the business has successfully added 22 more electric forklifts to its smelting operations in Jharsuguda, Odisha. This expansion supports Vedanta Aluminum’s decarbonization efforts.
Speaking about this initiative, John Slaven, CEO, Vedanta Aluminium, said, “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.”
Deployed across Vedanta Aluminium’s units in Jharsuguda and Lanjigarh in Odisha, as well as its BALCO smelter in Chhattisgarh, these forklifts feature faster and safer battery charging capabilities. This revolutionizes operational efficiency, while significantly contributing to the reduction of carbon emissions. The introduction of electric lithium-ion forklifts helps mitigate the company’s carbon footprint significantly, through:
It is expected to lead to a potential reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 2,500 tonnes of CO2 equivalent annually, besides substantial reduction in diesel consumption, with estimated savings of over 8.4 lakh litres per year.
The company has committed to decarbonising 100% of its light motor vehicle (LMV) fleet by 2030. This ongoing effort stands as a testimony to Vedanta Aluminium’s constant endeavour to evaluate and deploy emerging technologies towards decarbonising its operations. Vedanta is among India’s pioneering companies to adopt sustainable operational practices, particularly in material handling.
The expansion of electric forklift fleet is yet another step Vedanta Aluminium’s journey to achieve Net Zero by 2050. To fulfil this commitment, the company is adopting a two-fold strategy of reducing its carbon footprint by increasing operational excellence and increasing renewable in its energy mix, while also offsetting its carbon footprint through extensive afforestation efforts. Through its operations, the company is enabling wider global access to responsibly produced, high-quality aluminium.
Click Here to get the latest EV news and exclusive updates from EV Mechanica on WhatsApp!