Vedanta Backs EV Metal Manufacturing with INR 12,500 Crore Investment

Vedanta revealed on World EV Day that it has invested more than INR 12,500 crore to expand its metal manufacturing footprint, underpinning the nation’s shift towards clean mobility.

The Mumbai-headquartered conglomerate announced capacity upgrades across aluminium smelters, zinc alloy plants, and ferrochrome facilities as part of its strategy to become India’s leading supplier of what it calls ‘energy transition metals.’ The group’s investment spans a critical list of materials essential to EV production, including aluminium, zinc, copper, nickel, steel, and ferrochrome.

Domestic Value Chain in Focus

Vedanta’s investments are designed to shore up domestic production of EV inputs ranging from battery casings and engine blocks to steel frames and charging systems. The company is rapidly scaling finished aluminium products, including billets for battery housings and unique foundry alloys for automotive wheels, and has established new zinc alloy and roaster units to increase output.

As part of its sustainability push, Vedanta has launched what it calls India’s first low-carbon aluminium lines - Restora and Restora Ultra. According to research cited by the company, every 100 kg of weight removed through aluminium translates to a 10-15 percent range increase in EVs.

Zinc, Nickel, and Copper: Building the New Automotive Backbone

Vedanta is leveraging its position as a significant zinc producer to offer high-purity zinc and low-carbon products like EcoZen. Its automotive-grade HZDA 3 and HZDA 5 zinc alloys serve high-performance, corrosion-resistant needs for automakers. Zinc applications are also expanding into advanced battery chemistries, an area attracting significant industry interest.

The company, currently India’s only primary nickel producer, supplied nearly 80 percent of its FY25 output within India. With nickel sulphate, which is a key cathode ingredient in high-range batteries, Vedanta commands roughly 40 percent of the nation’s supply, shipping domestically and abroad.

Copper capacity is also seen as critical, since electric vehicles require as much as four times the copper of a traditional combustion-engine car to power batteries, motors, and inverters.

Vedanta’s expansion isn’t limited to today’s metals. It is also eyeing rare earths, graphite, vanadium, manganese, and tungsten. The company’s existing steel, iron ore, ferrochrome, and oil & gas business lines will continue to supply downstream EV needs, from lubricants to tire materials.