Indian engineering company Godrej & Boyce has launched a new lithium-ion battery-powered forklift featuring a new battery management system, as it continues to strive towards 100% domestically produced lithium-ion technology for its materials handling division.

Described as a “first of its kind” offering by an Indian manufacturer, the new battery management system (BMS) was developed in partnership with Log9 Materials and integrates lithium-ion cells with 30% localised production with a proprietary BMS fully designed and made in India.

Godrej is targeting 100% localisation of Li-ion cells by end of 2025.

Traditionally, the Indian market has heavily relied on imported batteries and BMS systems, primarily sourced from China.

Godrej & Boyce Manufacturing executive director and chief executive officer Anil Verma says this is a critical time in the development of new technologies in India.

“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,” Verma continues.

“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.”

Godrej & Boyce believes lithium-ion technology offers more than four times longer battery life compared to traditional lead-acid batteries. 

“Charging from 20% to 80% takes only 2.5 hours for Li-ion (batteries) compared to six hours for lead-acid, with 30% less energy consumption,” the company states. “Li-ion batteries offer up to 15% more run time to 2-3 T. forklifts.”

Godrej & Boyce has said it plans to extend the new lithium-ion BMS technology to other materials handling equipment in the future.

Godrej & Boyce was founded in Mumbai in 1897. In June 2023, Godrej Material Handling announced it would invest USD12.1 million on equipment over the following three years to meet what it believes will be a surge in India’s materials handling rental industry.