Transitioning
from a replacement mindset to a lifecycle mindset
Neville Mevawala feels that it is time for India’s
Forklift industry to transition beyond conventional battery technologies.
“The next generation of industrial batteries must, therefore, move beyond simply enabling electrification and instead deliver measurable operational value.”
- Neville Mevawala, Head of Sales and Marketing,
MHE business of Godrej Enterprises Group.
Over
the last decade, supply chains have transformed from cost centres into
competitive advantage. Manufacturers, logistics providers, and warehouse
operators are under pressure to move more goods, in less time, with greater
efficiency and lower emissions. Yet, while automation, robotics, and digital
infrastructure have evolved rapidly, one foundational layer of industrial
operations has remained largely unchanged: the way forklifts are powered.
That is
beginning to change.
Globally,
industrial mobility is undergoing a structural shift from equipment that pauses
for charging and maintenance to systems engineered for continuous availability.
In modern warehouses, every minute of downtime impacts throughput, labour
productivity, and fulfilment performance. As operating intensity increases, battery
technology is emerging as a critical determinant of operational efficiency
rather than just a supporting component.
For
decades, lead-acid batteries formed the backbone of forklift operations. They
were reliable but required scheduled charging, maintenance cycles, dedicated
charging rooms, and periodic replacements.
Standard
lithium-ion batteries improved efficiency and reduced maintenance requirements,
enabling faster charging, opportunity charging, and multi-shift operations
without battery swaps. However, industrial operators today are looking beyond
electrification itself.
The
focus has decisively shifted from upfront cost to lifecycle performance.
The new
benchmark is lifecycle value: batteries that charge faster, operate longer,
perform reliably in demanding conditions, reduce dependency on scarce
materials, and lower total cost of ownership while sustaining productivity
across the entire life of the equipment.
India’s supply chain growth is creating
new energy demands
This
shift is becoming especially relevant in India.
India’s
manufacturing and logistics ecosystem is expanding at an unprecedented pace. Industrial
and Warehousing leasing across India’s top eight cities crossed 11 million sq.
ft. in Q1 2026, registering over 20 per cent year-on-year growth, driven by
manufacturing expansion, third-party logistics (3PL), and e-commerce-led supply
chain modernisation.
But, this
growth is not simply creating more warehouses; it is creating more intensive high-throughput
operations.
Facilities
are becoming denser, shift cycles are extending, and expectations around
equipment availability are rising. Material handling systems are becoming
central to operational competitiveness.
India’s
operating realities also differ from many global markets. High ambient
temperatures, longer utilisation hours, and heightened pressure on cost
optimisation require solutions engineered specifically for local industrial
conditions. Forklifts are increasingly expected to deliver near-continuous
uptime across multiple shifts without compromising efficiency or reliability.
Moving beyond conventional batteries
to lifecycle-led performance
This
creates a challenge: traditional battery technologies were not designed for
this level of operational intensity. The industry now needs energy solutions
that move from a replacement mindset to a lifecycle mindset, where the battery
is not a recurring operational expense but a long-term productivity asset.
The
next generation of industrial batteries must, therefore, move beyond simply
enabling electrification and instead deliver measurable operational value. Industrial
operators increasingly require energy systems that maximise equipment uptime, support
fast and opportunity charging across shifts, extend lifecycle performance,
minimise maintenance interventions, and maintain reliability in demanding
operating environments.
Equally
important is the ability to lower total cost of ownership over the long term,
transforming the battery strategic enabler of productivity and sustainability.
Building India’s next generation of material
handling solutions
At
Godrej Enterprises Group, this transition is already underway. Godrej has
introduced India’s first Multi-Ion battery technology for electric forklifts — representing
a shift from conventional energy storage to intelligent, lifecycle-driven
energy systems.
Designed
specifically for Indian operating conditions, the technology combines fast and
opportunity charging, zero maintenance, continuous usage capability without
overheating risks, and improved energy efficiency while lowering total cost of
ownership by up to 25 per cent.
Unlike
conventional battery systems, Multi-Ion technology is engineered to last
through the operational life of the forklift and delivers up to 5,000 life
cycles significantly enhancing lifecycle performance compared to traditional technologies.
It also reduces rare-earth dependency and addresses disposal challenges
associated with conventional battery systems.
Importantly,
the solution has been developed for India’s industrial realities, operating
reliably at temperatures ranging from (-)20°C to 60°C and backed by over 5,000
hours of real-world validation and a 7-year warranty.
The future of industrial growth depends
on smarter energy infrastructure
India’s
manufacturing ambitions will require more than larger factories and warehouses;
they will require smarter industrial infrastructure. For the forklift industry,
transitioning beyond conventional battery technologies is no longer an
operational upgrade…It is a strategic, imperative to enable higher
productivity, lower environmental impact, and future-ready supply chains.