Godrej & Boyce Launches India’s First Homegrown Lithium-Ion Battery-Powered Forklifts

In a landmark achievement for sustainable industrial practices and self-reliance, Godrej & Boyce, a subsidiary of the Godrej Enterprises Group, has introduced India’s first indigenous lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery-powered forklifts. This innovative launch by the company’s material handling division marks a significant advancement in the Indian material handling industry, which has long been reliant on imported battery technologies.

Advancing Local Manufacturing

The new forklifts are equipped with a cutting-edge Battery Management System (BMS) developed in collaboration with Log9 Materials. The BMS is fully designed and manufactured in India, incorporating 30% localized production, with Godrej & Boyce aiming to achieve 100% localization by next year. This initiative is a key step towards reducing India’s dependence on Chinese imports, in line with the government's "Make in India" program.

“India’s logistics sector is at a critical juncture, experiencing rapid growth fueled by infrastructure developments across various industries such as automotive, FMCG, consumer durables, retail, e-commerce, and pharmaceuticals, driven by increasing consumer demand. At Godrej & Boyce, we are dedicated to ‘Make in India’ strategies, playing a crucial role in driving this growth,” stated Anil Verma, Executive Director & CEO of Godrej & Boyce Manufacturing Co., a part of the Godrej Enterprises Group.

Verma added that the company is focused on integrating advanced, technology-driven solutions to address the complex challenges of modern supply chains. “These innovations are vital for improving operational efficiency and ensuring the continued evolution of the sector. The future of India’s logistics will be shaped by this commitment to nation-building and innovation, securing a more resilient and adaptive industry,” he emphasized.

Eco-Friendly and Efficient Forklifts

Li-ion technology offers numerous advantages over traditional lead-acid batteries, including a battery life that is over four times longer and the ability to deliver up to 5,000 charge cycles, compared to 1,200 cycles from lead-acid batteries.

These new forklifts also feature lower maintenance needs, faster charging times, and reduced energy consumption, making them not only more efficient but also environmentally sustainable. Charging from 20% to 80% takes just 2.5 hours, compared to 6 hours for lead-acid batteries, with a 30% reduction in energy use.

Commenting on the launch, Anil Lingayat, Executive Vice President & Business Head of the Material Handling Business at Godrej & Boyce, said, “This launch highlights our commitment to ‘Make in India’ and developing self-reliant capabilities in critical technologies for the material handling industry. Leveraging our engineering expertise, we have created a solution that enhances safety and optimizes performance. We believe this marks the beginning of a transformative journey that will revolutionize material handling and inspire industries across the nation to reimagine what’s possible through self-reliance.”

Versatile Applications Across Sectors

The modular design of these forklifts allows for scalability, making them suitable for a broad range of industries, including automotive, FMCG, retail, e-commerce, pharmaceuticals, and other key manufacturing sectors. Godrej & Boyce’s dedication to innovation and sustainability is further demonstrated by their plans to expand this advanced technology to other material handling equipment in the near future.