Godrej and Boyce Introduces Forklift Truck with Lithium-Ion Power

Anil Verma, Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer of Godrej & Boyce, which is part of the Godrej Enterprises Group, stated, “India’s logistics sector is at a crucial turning point, experiencing significant growth due to advancements in infrastructure across various sectors such as automotive, FMCG, consumer durables, retail including e-commerce, and pharmaceuticals, all driven by increasing consumer demand. At Godrej & Boyce, we are dedicated to ‘Make in India’ initiatives, playing an essential role in fostering this growth. Our emphasis on integrating advanced, technology-driven solutions is a top priority, as we tackle the complex challenges of today’s supply chains. These innovations are vital for improving operational efficiency and ensuring the sector continues to evolve. The future of India’s logistics will be influenced by our commitment to nation building and innovation, paving the way for a more resilient and adaptable industry.”

The Godrej Enterprises Group’s Anil Lingayat, Executive Vice President & Business Head of Godrej & Boyce’s Material Handling Business, stated, “We are thrilled to unveil our Li-ion powered forklift trucks incorporating locally designed Battery Management System. Our dedication to “Made in India” and developing independent skills in vital technologies for the material handling sector is emphasized by this launch. Through the application of our engineering knowledge, we have developed a system that maximizes performance while improving safety. We think this is the beginning of a revolutionary path that will change material handling and encourage businesses throughout the country to reconsider what’s achievable when we make the commitment to self-reliance.”

The advantages of Li-ion technology are significant and game-changing, providing over four times the battery life of traditional lead-acid batteries. Li-ion batteries can handle 5,000 charge cycles, compared to just 1,200 for lead-acid, which leads to lower long-term costs. They support opportunity charging, produce zero emissions during charging, and require less maintenance. Charging from 20% to 80% takes only 2.5 hours with Li-ion, while lead-acid batteries need about 6 hours, using 30% less energy in the process. Li-ion batteries can deliver up to 15% more runtime for 2 and 3-tonne forklifts. Their modular design also makes them scalable. Godrej & Boyce intends to apply this technology to other types of material handling equipment. Industries that will benefit include automotive, FMCG, consumer durables, retail (including e-commerce), pharmaceuticals, and various major manufacturing sectors.

In collaboration with Log9 Materials, the new battery systems combine lithium-ion cells with 30% local production and a proprietary Battery Management System (BMS) that is entirely designed and manufactured in India. The company aims to achieve 100% localization for the cells by next year. Historically, the Indian market has depended significantly on imported batteries and BMS systems, mainly from China. By localizing this technology, the business demonstrates its strong commitment to the “Make in India” initiative and its focus on building a robust domestic supply chain.