Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest aluminium producer, has announced a major expansion of its lithium-ion battery-powered electric forklift fleet, increasing its strength to 142 vehicles across its operations in Odisha and Chhattisgarh. The move, unveiled on World Sustainable Transport Day (November 26), marks a significant leap in India’s industrial decarbonization efforts and reinforces the company’s commitment to sustainable mobility.
World Sustainable Transport Day, observed annually by the United Nations, highlights the importance of environmentally friendly, accessible and resilient transport systems. Vedanta’s latest initiative aligns strongly with these global goals, placing the company at the forefront of sustainable industrial logistics in India.
The expanded fleet—more than double the previous count—has been deployed through a multi-phase strategy. At Vedanta’s Jharsuguda smelter alone, 116 electric forklifts have been introduced. The deployment is expected to reduce nearly 4,450 tonnes of CO₂-equivalent emissions every year and cut diesel consumption by over 16.3 lakh litres annually. In addition to environmental gains, the electric forklifts offer faster charging, improved safety and reduced maintenance, significantly enhancing operational efficiency.
The initiative is central to Vedanta’s broader sustainability roadmap, including its target of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and fully decarbonizing its Light Motor Vehicle (LMV) fleet by 2030.
Commenting on the milestone, Rajiv Kumar, CEO of 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.”
Notably, the company has introduced inclusive workforce opportunities, with several of the electric forklifts now operated by women and transgender professionals. The initiative also includes industry-first deployments such as India’s first 10-tonne capacity electric forklifts at the Jharsuguda smelter.
By scaling up clean mobility solutions at the industrial level, Vedanta Aluminium is demonstrating how sustainability and productivity can go hand-in-hand. With the launch of India’s largest industrial electric forklift fleet, the company continues to set new benchmarks for responsible, efficient and inclusive industrial operations.
