The Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India released the ‘Zero-Emission Trucking Adoption in India and Its Impact on Emission and Energy’ Report (June 2025), on Tuesday. The report highlights the evolving landscape of India’s Medium and Heavy-Duty Truck (M&HDT) sector and projects a major shift towards Battery Electric Trucks (BET) by mid-century. This transition is expected to substantially cut down emissions and fuel consumption. The report underscores the need for robust, supportive policies to accelerate Zero-Emission Trucking (ZET) adoption and help India meet its long-term net-zero commitments.
India’s freight sector—driven primarily by Medium and Heavy-Duty Trucks —accounts for nearly 70% of the nation’s logistics operations, playing a critical role in economic growth and industrial development. However, this sector is also a significant contributor to fuel consumption (approximately 40%) and the nation’s emissions. As freight demand continues to rise, initiatives to transition toward sustainable transport solutions have commenced. Given the current trends in green hydrogen (H₂) production costs and limited infrastructure availability, this report assumes that BETs will be the primary zero-emission technology (ZET) for M&HDTs, for some time.
Against this background, this detailed study provides projections on BET adoption, emission savings, savings in fuel and electricity demand under scenarios that are as accurate as possible. The analysis is based on in-depth input from experts in the truck industry who have a comprehensive understanding of the market, its use cases, and the relevant technologies. Historical data from sources such as Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), Vahan portal, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoPNG), and Ministry of Power (MoP) combined with interviews of stakeholders from across the value chain in various regions of the country underpin the projections. Interviews conducted with representatives from major OEMs, operators of different use cases, experts from end-use industries, and other related sectors helped in the curation of this report.
“The adoption of ZETs is a crucial step in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving air quality, and enhancing energy security. As a nation committed to achieving Net Zero by 2070, the electrification of freight transport will play a transformative role in shaping a cleaner and more efficient logistics ecosystem. Wider adoption of ZET will create pathways for cleaner transportation in India,” said Professor Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India.
The report is the outcome of a year-long exercise and scenario evaluation in consultation with leading industries, subject matter experts and stakeholders. The report underscores the importance of targeted early-stage interventions—such as enhanced fiscal incentives, specialised product offerings, and robust charging solutions—to accelerate market confidence in BETs. The report aims to assist policymakers, industry stakeholders and investors in making informed decisions that will foster a sustainable and economically viable transition to electric trucking in India.
Access the Full Zero-Emission Trucking Adoption Report:
ZET Adoption and Its Impact on Emission and Energy – PSA India (PDF)
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