Godrej bets on multi-ion batteries for next phase of electric forklifts

Godrej Enterprises Group has introduced a new multi-ion battery platform for forklifts using sodium, potassium and carbon chemistry, positioning it as an alternative to conventional lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries for industrial applications. 

Developed in partnership with a Mumbai-based deep-tech battery company, the battery system is designed for heavy-duty industrial operations requiring faster charging, longer runtime and lower lifecycle costs.

According to Anil Lingayat, Business Head, Material Handling Business, Godrej Enterprises Group, most parts of the battery system, including the battery management system and integration technologies, are already developed and sourced domestically.

"At present, the only part that is not fully localised is the cell manufacturing because India is still building large-scale cell manufacturing infrastructure," Lingayat added. 

However, he expects that to change in the next couple of years. "These cells can be manufactured on the same infrastructure used for lithiumion production. Once India's cell manufacturing ecosystem scales up, we will also be able to fully localise this technology," he said.

Built for Indian conditions

Lingayat said the battery platform was developed specifically for India's demanding industrial conditions, where forklifts operate in hightemperature and rugged environments. 

"Forklift applications are very different from passenger electric vehicles. Here, the requirement is high torque, deep discharge capability and frequent fast charging," Lingayat told ET Manufacturing. 

The development process took nearly three years, with teams conducting over 3,000 hours of testing across different industrial and climatic conditions, he added. 

"India is a very tough market for batteries. Temperatures can go above 45 degrees Celsius, and industrial environments involve vibrations, dust and rough operating conditions.We wanted to ensure the technology survives all of that, he said.

According to the company, the battery performs almost 25 per cent better than lithium-ion batteries and provides 5,000-6,000 cycles of recharging, whereas the average number of cycles in the case of lithiumion batteries is about 3,000-3,500 cycles. 

"In India, forklifts are often used for 12-14 years. A customer using leadacid batteries may replace four or five batteries over the equipment's lifespan. Using this type of technology, one battery lasts through the full lifetime period of the forklift," Lingayat stated. 

He added that up to 50-60 per cent of the group's value chain is already green and plans to raise this to about 80-85 per cent over the next two years.

"Nearly 30 per cent of our products are already green products. As an organisation, we believe growth should not come at the cost of the environment," he said. The company also expects easier recycling and safer disposal because of the chemistry used in the battery system. "From a lifecycle ownership perspective, this technology is nearly 25 per cent cheaper while reducing the carbon footprint," he added.

View this on : ET Manufacturing