Vedanta Aluminium, India’s leading aluminium producer, has significantly expanded the nation’s largest lithium-ion battery-powered electric forklift fleet to 142 vehicles, more than doubling its previous count. Deployed across its cutting-edge operations in Odisha and Chhattisgarh, this milestone marks a major leap towards sustainable industrial logistics.
Announced on World Sustainable Transport Day (November 26), the initiative reflects Vedanta’s commitment to transforming India’s industrial ecosystem through clean, efficient, and future-ready mobility solutions.
World Sustainable Transport Day, observed annually by the United Nations, highlights the importance of safe, accessible and environmentally responsible transport systems that support sustainable economic growth and global collaboration for low-emission infrastructure.
Beyond reducing environmental impact and enhancing efficiency, sustainable transport is emerging as a crucial catalyst for achieving broader development goals such as gender equality and climate action. The transition to electric forklifts aligns with Vedanta’s commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, while also taking forward the goal of decarbonizing its Light Motor Vehicle (LMV) fleet by 2030.
Vedanta Aluminium’s significant milestone was achieved through a multi-phase rollout of the 142 electric forklifts across its operations, delivering transformative environmental, operational, and social benefits. At its Jharsuguda smelter alone, where 116 such forklifts have been deployed, the initiative is expected to eliminate approximately 4,450 tonnes of CO₂-equivalent greenhouse gas emissions annually and reduce diesel consumption by 16.3 lakh litres each year. Beyond these sustainability gains, the transition enhances workplace safety and boosts operational efficiency through faster charging and lower maintenance requirements, thereby reinforcing Vedanta’s vision of aligning operational excellence with environmental responsibility and social progress.
Commenting on the milestone, Mr. Rajiv Kumar, CEO – Vedanta Aluminium, said, “At Vedanta Aluminium, we view sustainability as more than a commitment, it is a catalyst for transformation. 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. This milestone has not only strengthened our environmental efforts but has also created new pathways for greater inclusion in industry roles that were once considered inaccessible to women.”
The initiative has created new opportunities for inclusive growth, with several forklifts operated by women and transgender professionals, reinforcing Vedanta’s commitment to equality and empowerment and demonstrating how sustainable technology can be a powerful enabler of social transformation. The initiative has also achieved other firsts such as the deployment of India’s first 10-tonne capacity electric forklifts at Vedanta Jharsuguda’s smelter operations.
By reducing dependence on fossil fuels and eliminating thousands of tonnes of emissions annually, Vedanta Aluminium is not just meeting its environmental goals but is also setting the standard for how industries can decarbonize without compromising on performance or productivity. By pioneering India’s largest industrial electric forklift fleet, the company demonstrates that environmental responsibility and operational excellence can drive each other forward towards a transformative future.
