Godrej & Boyce, a key subsidiary of Godrej Enterprises Group, has launched India’s first lithium-ion battery-powered forklift truck with a completely in-house developed Battery Management System (BMS). The launch makes the company the first manufacturer in India to offer such technology in the material handling space.
Advances in Material Handling Technology
The lithium-ion technology used in these forklifts offers several advantages over traditional lead-acid batteries, including a significantly longer service life of up to 5,000 recharges compared to 1,200 for lead-acid batteries. This extended service life is expected to reduce long-term investment costs and improve operational efficiency.
Lithium-ion batteries can be charged from 20% to 80% in 2.5 hours, compared to 6 hours for lead-acid batteries, and use 30% less energy. In addition, these batteries can extend the operating time of 2-ton and 3-ton forklifts by 15%.
Wider application potential
Godrej & Boyce plans to apply this lithium-ion technology to other material handling equipment, providing a scalable solution through its modular design. Industries that may benefit include automotive, fast-moving consumer goods, durable consumer goods, retail, pharmaceuticals and other manufacturing industries.
Anil Verma, Executive Director and CEO, Godrej & Boyce said, “The logistics industry in India is at a critical juncture, experiencing robust growth driven by infrastructure advancements in sectors such as automotive, FMCG, consumer durables, retail including e-commerce, pharmaceuticals, and growing consumer demand. At Godrej & Boyce, we are committed to the ‘Make in India’ strategy and play a vital role in driving this growth. Our focus on integrating cutting-edge technology-enabled solutions remains mission critical to address the complex challenges of the modern supply chain. These innovations are critical to improve operational efficiency and ensure continued growth of the industry. The future of logistics in India will be shaped by this commitment to nation building and innovation, thereby ensuring a more resilient and adaptable industry.”
Focus on “Make in India” and technological development
Anil Lingayat, Executive Vice President and Head of Material Handling Business, Godrej & Boyce, stressed the company’s commitment to the ‘Make in India’ initiative. He stressed the importance of developing BMS in India, in line with the company’s goal of creating self-reliance in the material handling industry.
The new battery system, developed in partnership with Log9 Materials, integrates lithium-ion cells, 30% of which are produced locally. The BMS is designed and manufactured entirely in India, with the goal of achieving 100% localization of lithium-ion cells by the end of next year.
Impact on the Material Handling Industry
The Indian market has traditionally relied on imported batteries and BMS systems, primarily from China. By localizing this technology, Godrej & Boyce supports the “Make in India” initiative and contributes to the development of a domestic supply chain.
The launch of lithium-ion powered forklifts equipped with an indigenous battery management system (BMS) represents a step forward for India’s material handling industry, providing an alternative to imported technology and supporting the ongoing infrastructure development in the country.
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