Backed by a ₹125 billion investment, Vedanta is scaling up aluminium, zinc, nickel and copper output to strengthen India’s electric vehicle supply chain.
On Monday, Vedanta Limited announced an investment of more than ₹125 billion to expand capacity in metals manufacturing, with a focus on materials used in electric vehicles (EVs).
The capital expenditure covers aluminium smelter expansion, value-added aluminium products, a zinc alloy plant, a new roaster for zinc, and additional ferrochrome capacity. The company’s product portfolio spans aluminium, zinc, silver, copper, nickel, ferrochrome, steel, oil and gas.
Vedanta produces a range of aluminium products used in automotive applications such as wheels, engine blocks, battery casings, HVAC systems and frames. It has also developed low-carbon aluminium under the Restora brand. The company said aluminium’s light weight can improve vehicle efficiency by offsetting battery weight.
Zinc is another major segment. Vedanta’s Hindustan Zinc subsidiary supplies high-purity zinc, galvanising grade zinc and die-casting alloys. These are used in galvanised steel for corrosion resistance and in automotive components. The company has also introduced a low-carbon zinc brand, EcoZen. Research into zinc-based batteries is also underway.
Meanwhile, Vedanta is India’s only primary producer of nickel, which is a key input for EV batteries. In FY25, about 80% of its nickel production was sold domestically. It also makes nickel sulphate, which is used in nickel-rich cathodes. Vedanta said it currently holds 40% of the domestic nickel sulphate market.
Copper remains another important area. EVs typically require three to four times more copper than conventional vehicles, and Vedanta produces copper rods and cathodes used in wiring, batteries, motors and charging infrastructure.
The company also produces steel, iron ore and ferrochrome, which are used in the broader EV supply chain. In addition, Vedanta has indicated plans to explore production of rare earths, graphite, manganese, vanadium and tungsten.
The latest investment, announced on World EV Day, comes as the company eyes to meet demand from the country’s expanding EV industry.
