India has taken a decisive step toward sustainable freight mobility with the launch of a detailed report identifying ten high-impact highway corridors best suited for early deployment of zero-emission trucks (ZETs).
Spearheaded by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India, this landmark initiative targets high-traffic logistics routes to fast-track the country’s transition to clean energy in the transport sector. Released in the national capital, the report underscores a critical need for decarbonising India’s long-haul freight system, which contributes nearly 40 per cent of the nation’s total transport emissions and diesel consumption. With a focus on electrification, the zero-emission trucking strategy represents both a climate imperative and an economic opportunity, given the rising cost of fossil fuels and the global shift towards cleaner alternatives.
The report was developed in collaboration with the Centre of Excellence for Zero Emission Trucking (CoEZET), hosted at IIT Madras, alongside industry think tanks like the Rocky Mountain Institute and pManifold. Through a rigorous, three-stage analysis of 230 national corridors, the study distilled its findings to ten routes offering the greatest feasibility for electrified freight — taking into account traffic density, industrial linkages, infrastructure readiness, and commercial viability. Beyond infrastructure, the corridors were selected based on a nuanced evaluation of factors such as grid connectivity, battery range alignment, and stakeholder consensus. The study aims to serve as a cornerstone for future public-private investment in India’s green freight ecosystem, guiding deployment strategies for charging infrastructure, logistics hubs, and enabling regulatory frameworks.
Experts believe this strategic corridor mapping may also feed into national schemes such as PM E-DRIVE, the Rs 500-crore initiative launched in 2024 by the Ministry of Heavy Industries to promote zero-emission vehicles across sectors. For fleet operators and logistics players, this paves the way for reliable transition pathways to cleaner alternatives — reducing long-term operational costs and carbon liabilities. According to Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, the Principal Scientific Adviser, the project is not only aligned with India’s net-zero goals but also strengthens energy security by reducing dependence on imported oil. “A systematic approach to electrifying freight will enhance national competitiveness while advancing environmental resilience,” he remarked during the report release.
This strategic framework arrives at a time when India’s freight transport is undergoing rapid transformation. With the logistics sector projected to grow at over 10 per cent annually, early investment in ZET infrastructure could significantly shape the country’s economic and environmental trajectory. Policymakers and industry leaders are now expected to translate this roadmap into actionable results, reinforcing India’s leadership in sustainable mobility. The corridors, once operationalised, will signal a turning point for freight electrification—ushering in not just cleaner air and reduced emissions, but also new business models centred around climate-smart logistics.
As India’s freight ecosystem gears up for its green makeover, these ten corridors represent more than infrastructure—they represent a commitment to building cities that are carbon-neutral, inclusive, and future-ready.
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