Godrej & Boyce launches India’s first Lithium-Ion powered forklift truck

ETAuto Desk ETAuto Desk | 08-23 00:20

This development by Godrej & Boyce aims to significantly enhance operational efficiency within the logistics sector and other critical industries.
Godrej & Boyce, a part of the Godrej Enterprises Group, has announced the launch of its lithium-ion battery-powered forklifts, featuring an indigenously developed Battery Management System (BMS). This marks the first offering of its kind by an Indian manufacturer, targeting the significant need for a reliable and safe Li-Ion battery system in the Indian material handling sector. The new technology promises extended battery life, reduced investment, and minimal maintenance, contributing to India's rapid infrastructure growth and green energy initiatives.

The benefits of lithium-ion technology are remarkable, providing over four times the battery life compared to traditional lead-acid batteries. With 5,000 charge cycles versus 1,200 from lead-acid batteries, lithium-ion options drastically cut long-term costs. Additionally, they support opportunity charging, produce zero emissions during charging, and require less maintenance. Charging a Li-ion battery from 20% to 80% takes just 2.5 hours compared to 6 hours for lead-acid, and consumes 30% less energy. These batteries also offer up to 15% more runtime for 2 and 3-tonne forklifts and have a modular design that allows for scalability.

"India’s logistics sector is at a pivotal juncture, experiencing robust growth driven by infrastructure advancements across sectors such as automotive, FMCG, consumer durables, retail including e-commerce, pharmaceuticals, fueled by rising consumer demand," said Anil Verma, Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer, Godrej & Boyce, part of the Godrej Enterprises Group. "At Godrej & Boyce, we are committed to ‘Make in India’ strategies, playing a vital role in driving this growth. Our focus on integrating cutting-edge, technology-enabled solutions remains a key priority, addressing the complex challenges of modern supply chains. These innovations are crucial for enhancing operational efficiency and ensuring the sector’s continued evolution. The future of India’s logistics will be shaped by this commitment to nation building and innovation, securing a more resilient and adaptive industry."

Lithium-ion powered forklifts

The new lithium-ion powered forklifts, developed in collaboration with Log9 Materials, utilize a proprietary BMS fully designed and manufactured in India. Currently, they feature 30% localized production with a goal to achieve 100% localization of the lithium-ion cells by next year.

"We are delighted to introduce our Li-ion powered forklift trucks featuring indigenously developed Battery Management System," said Anil Lingayat, Executive Vice President & Business Head of the Material Handling Business at Godrej & Boyce. "This launch underscores our commitment to 'Make in India' and building self-reliant capabilities in critical technologies for the material handling industry. By leveraging our engineering expertise, we have created a solution that enhances safety, and optimizes performance. We believe this is the start of a transformative journey that will revolutionize material handling and inspire industries nationwide to reimagine what's possible when we commit to self-reliance."

Advantages of forklifts

Industries expected to benefit from Godrej & Boyce’s new forklifts include automotive, FMCG, consumer durables, retail including e-commerce, and pharmaceuticals. The launch of these forklifts highlights the company's dedication to the "Make in India" vision and its effort to establish a more resilient and self-reliant domestic supply chain, as the Indian market has traditionally relied on imported batteries and BMS systems, mainly from China.

This development by Godrej & Boyce aims to significantly enhance operational efficiency within the logistics sector and other critical industries. By focusing on innovation and safety, Godrej & Boyce is poised to drive future growth and evolution in Indian logistics and material handling.

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