Dalmia Cement bets big on e-trucks
To put on track 22 high capacity e-trucks to transport raw materials for cement manufacturing
image for illustrative purpose
Indian cement major Dalmia Cement (Bharat) Limited (DCBL), a subsidiary of Dalmia Bharat Limited, will put on track 22 high capacity electric trucks to transport various raw materials for cement manufacturing. The e-trucks will accelerate DCBL's sustainability goal of lowering carbon emissions as well as optimise the company's overall logistics costs. With the introduction of the company's new e-truck fleet, the Co2 emissions pertaining to the diesel trucks will be reduced significantly, top company officials said.
"Achieving environmental sustainability has always been a priority for us at DCBL from a business and a social standpoint. While we are grateful that our government is creating the right policy and investment environment that encourages organisations to take positive environmental action, as private organisations we need to take the lead," said Mahendra Singhi, MD and CEO of DCBL. He added, "DCBL has always led the agenda of creating a holistic business ecosystem that encourages sustainable growth. By introducing our electric vehicle fleets nationally in partnership with Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), we are confident we will be able to achieve our sustainability goals of becoming carbon negative by 2040."
Dalmia Cement (Bharat) Limited already prides itself at having one of the lowest carbon footprint in the cement world globally. It is the first cement company to commit to RE100, EP100 and EV100 – showing real business leadership in the clean energy transition by taking a joined-up approach. As part of the initiative's first phase, two of the proposed 22 high capacity e-trucks have been put on track and balance 20 will be put to use before the end of FY'22. Supporting the government's mission of Atmanirbhar Bharat, IPL Tech, India's first manufacturer of high capacity trucks has been commissioned by DCBL to provide the first of its kind EVs.
The company will be plying the trucks to transport slag, a major raw material for cement manufacturing, from the facility of SAIL at Rourkela to its cement manufacturing unit in Rajgangpur. Additionally, the company has commissioned two charging stations at its Rajgangpur Unit and three more charging stations to be installed by March'22.
The fourth-largest cement manufacturing company in India, spread across nine States and thirteen manufacturing units, and a category leader in super-speciality cement used for oil well, railway sleepers and airstrips, is continuously striving for improving environmental conditions as well as lower health risks in and around the areas it operates in.
Along with leading climate action, reducing pollution, enabling the community through life skills and educational initiatives and promoting optimal use of water resources, the company's e-Trucks initiative will also help ensure renewable energy integration.
"As India's pioneer in green cement manufacturing, we are making concrete efforts to introduce innovative solutions that promote sustainable transport as well as increase the decarbonisation of our fleet. We are confident that our commitment to walk the green path will pave the way for smarter transport that optimises energy use," said Chetan Shrivastav, Executive Director, DCBL and Unit Head – Rajgangpur.
