This would save close to 480 MT of carbon emissions from the truck sector, and 1.9 lakh litres of diesel
Imagine India’s highways in 2055: heavy and medium duty trucks humming silently across the length and breadth of the country under a crisp blue sky, delivering everything from fresh produce to electronics, and bricks to cement bags — all without a puff of smoke. This vision isn’t just a distant dream; it’s the road we’re already on.
A recent report by the Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India has undertaken a one-of-its-kind analysis that shows how the country’s 8.5 lakh trucks by 2055 will turn completely electric.
It assesses two scenarios, a Business As Usual one where current market trends and policies drive truck electrification. And a Business With Support scenario where aggressive policy support for electric trucks helps achieve 100% electrification a decade sooner!
For truck owners, fleet operators, and policymakers alike, this opportunity is too big to ignore.
Trucking into the future
The freight sector - heavy and medium duty trucks - accounts for 70% of the country’s logistics operations. Over the last 12 years, freight has witnessed a steady growth of 7% per annum. By 2050, sales projections show that India will have nearly 8.5 lakh trucks on its roads, from 2.7 lakh in 2024. If these fleets remain dependent on diesel, India’s trucks will add a total of 1,402 MT of carbon emissions into the air by 2050, a whopping 151% increase from current emissions. Without adopting zero emission technologies in this sector, India cannot achieve its GHG reduction goals.
That is why, there is much to cheer for, as this report gives hope for a very different future!
Given that trucks are commercial vehicles bought for profit, a better total cost of ownership is the basic hygiene factor to consider in electric truck adoption. And experts believe that achieving a 10% TCO benefit for battery electric trucks over diesel ones will be the tipping point where their adoption can be successful in the early stages.
The report analyses the current trends in truck routes, distance covered, stoppage and charging needs, and finds that 20% of BETs of the future will easily work with end to end charging (i.e. covering their distance on a full battery without need for charging mid route), 60% will need electrification of major corridors, and 20% will need charging infrastructure in interiors of the country.
Here’s what the bright future looks like under two scenarios:
Infographic designed by Riddhi
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