The freight transportation sector in India is growing rapidly, moving 4.6 billion tonnes of goods annually at present. Around 70% of the domestic freight demand today is being carried by trucks, which despite representing just 3% of the total vehicle fleet, are responsible for 53% of PM emissions.
The electrification of trucks is a critical aspect of decarbonising transport in India. Its diesel guzzling trucks must give way to zero-emissions trucks (ZETs) — including battery electric trucks (BETs) and fuel cell electric trucks (FCETs). Studies and research points to the economic viability of making this switch, what India now needs is supportive policies that provide the much needed push.
There are around 5.5 million trucks plying on the Indian roads at present. While the country has promoted policies to transition to electric vehicles for public transportation buses and cars, such a push by the government for trucks is yet to be seen. Many private companies in this segment, including Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland, however, have announced plans to roll out e-trucks in the future.
The electrification of trucks is a critical aspect of decarbonising transport in India. Its diesel guzzling trucks must give way to zero-emissions trucks (ZETs) — including battery electric trucks (BETs) and fuel cell electric trucks (FCETs). Studies and research points to the economic viability of making this switch, what India now needs is supportive policies that provide the much needed push.
There are around 5.5 million trucks plying on the Indian roads at present. While the country has promoted policies to transition to electric vehicles for public transportation buses and cars, such a push by the government for trucks is yet to be seen. Many private companies in this segment, including Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland, however, have announced plans to roll out e-trucks in the future.
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