Vedanta invests Rs 12,500 cr to boost EV-focused metal output

Vedanta Ltd has announced an investment of over Rs 12,500 crore to ramp up metal manufacturing, focusing on the needs of India’s growing electric vehicle (EV) sector.

The company’s portfolio includes aluminium, zinc, value-added alloys, copper, steel, nickel and ferrochrome. The new investments cover aluminium smelter expansion, increased production of aluminium value-added products, a zinc alloy plant, a roaster facility for zinc production, and ferrochrome capacity augmentation.

Vedanta’s aluminium products, including primary foundry alloys, billets for battery casings, HVAC systems, and EV frames, are being positioned to enhance efficiency in electric mobility. The company is also testing advanced crash-resistant alloys and energy storage materials.

Research suggests that every kilogram of aluminium used in a vehicle reduces its overall weight by 1 kg, which can extend an EV’s driving range by 10–15%. Vedanta, already a leading nickel producer, also manufactures nickel sulphate for nickel-rich cathodes—an essential component in EV batteries.