Godrej & Boyce has introduced India’s first lithium-ion battery-powered forklifts with an indigenous Battery Management System, boosting efficiency and helping the “Make in India” mission in material handling.

Amid India’s tremendous infrastructural development and the pressing demand for green energy solutions, Godrej & Boyce, a member of the Godrej Enterprises Group, has once again grabbed the lead with its latest innovation. The conglomerate’s Material Handling Business has announced the launch of lithium-ion battery-powered forklifts with an indigenously developed Battery Management System (BMS). This will be the first product of its sort from an Indian company. The solution meets a major demand in the Indian material handling industry by offering a self-sufficient and secure Li-Ion battery system.

Li-ion technology provides more than four times longer battery life than typical lead-acid batteries. Li-ion batteries have 5,000 charge cycles compared to 1,200 for lead-acid batteries, which reduces long-term expenditure. They provide opportunity for charging, zero emissions when charging, and lower maintenance requirements. Li-ion batteries charge from 20 percent to 80 percent in 2.5 hours, compared to 6 hours for lead-acid batteries, and consume 30 percent less energy. Li-ion batteries provide up to 15 percent more operating time for two- and three-tonne forklifts. The modular architecture also enables scaling. Godrej & Boyce intends to apply this technique to other material handling devices. Automotive, fast-moving consumer goods, consumer durables, retail (including e-commerce), medicines, and other significant manufacturing industries are expected to profit.

Anil Verma, Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer, Godrej & Boyce Manufacturing Co. Ltd., part of the Godrej Enterprises Group says, “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. 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.”

Anil Lingayat, Executive Vice President & Business Head of the Material Handling Business of Godrej & Boyce, part of the Godrej Enterprises Group says, “We are delighted to introduce our Li-ion powered forklift trucks featuring indigenously developed Battery Management System. 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 optimises performance. We believe this is the start of a transformative journey that will revolutionise material handling and inspire industries nationwide to reimagine what’s possible when we commit to self-reliance.”

The new battery systems, created in collaboration with Log9 Materials, combine lithium-ion cells with 30 percent localised production with a patented Battery Management System (BMS) that is entirely designed and manufactured in India. The company intends to achieve 100 percent cell localisation by next year.

Traditionally, the Indian market relied significantly on imported batteries and BMS systems, which were primarily obtained from China. Localising this technology demonstrates the company’s steadfast commitment to the “Make in India” strategy and its desire to build a strong domestic supply chain.

For more information, visit: http://www.godrejenterprises.com