Source: The post “Decarbonising Transportation Sector” has been created, based on the article “Electrifying freight: Having no truck with carbon emissions” published in “Businessline ” on 1st September 2025. Decarbonising Transportation Sector.
UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2- Issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure
Context: India rapidly scaled e-buses with a fully domestic model. Trucks dominate diesel use and emissions but are barely electrified. The article emphasises what should be done: adapt finance, build corridor charging, improve operations, and mobilise private leadership for a viable freight transition.
For detailed information on Decarbonisation of Transport Sector read this article here
Why focus on e-trucks now?
- Scale and emissions baseline: India has ~12 million trucks using 64% of diesel and emitting 40%+ of transport greenhouse gases. Emissions will rise for ~25 years with growth. Fewer than 500 trucks are electric.
- Economic centrality: Freight contributes 16% of GDP. Electrifying trucking affects costs, competitiveness, and air quality.
- Proven domestic capability: At least four e-bus manufacturers also make e-trucks. E-buses already number 11,000 on road, with 25,000+ contracted in under three years—all locally manufactured and domestically structured.
What finance and demand model should be used?
- Replicate long-term fixed-revenue contracts.: These contracts made e-buses bankable and drew patient infrastructure capital. The same template can back e-truck investments.
- Homogenise demand where feasible: E-bus demand was standardised across cities to gain scale. Certain truck classes can be standardised, with needed customisation.
- Aggregate corporate demand.: Work with large corporate freight users rather than transit agencies. Create a coalition of leaders that commits to regular volumes. This makes demand predictable.
For detailed information on Green Financing Critical to Decarbonizing the Indian Transport Sector read this article here
Where and how should charging be built?
- Ensure corridor coverage: Trucks run on shifting, long routes. They need charging stations at least every 150 km. Without this coverage, the transition becomes impossible or limited to a few easy routes.
- Fast-track approvals.: Trucks run on shifting, long routes. They need charging stations at least every 150 km. Without this coverage, the transition becomes impossible or limited to a few easy routes.
- Prioritise and align highways.: Electrify select national highways, ministry-led and time-monitored. Optionally overlay with PM Gati Shakti.
How must operations change for viability?
- Improve efficiency: Diesel trucks run at 70–75% utilisation and e-trucks cost over twice as much. Operations must improve by at least 15%.
- Cut delays across the chain: Reduce loading times, unloading times, and waiting on roadways. Saving even 15 minutes can change the economics.
- Coordinate multiple actors: Emitters, transport providers, and highway authorities should provide priority access and smoother flows. The aim is to keep trucks moving and earning, like airlines keep aircraft in the air to earn revenue.
Who should lead this shift?
- Bus template for leadership: E-buses scaled with government incentives and committed leadership (including the then NITI Aayog CEO).
- Private-led trucking reality: Most trucks are privately managed. Corporate leaders must commit demand and work with stakeholders.
- Prize for success: Cleaner air, lower costs, and a more competitive economy are achievable if these steps are executed.
Question for practice:
Examine how lessons from India’s electric bus programme can be used to electrify freight trucks, focusing on finance models, corridor charging, operational efficiency, and private-sector leadership.
