Stakeholders in the automotive industry, including representatives from Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), have called on the government to concentrate on three to four critical areas when rolling out the Rs 500 crore subsidy for electric trucks as part of the PM E-Drive initiative.
Indian truck manufacturers, such as Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland, advocated for component-level incentives and strategies to enhance long-term asset utilisation during a consultative meeting organised by the Ministry of Heavy Industries. This meeting was part of discussions on the effectiveness of the Rs 500 crore PM E-Drive subsidy aimed at supporting the adoption of electric trucks.
During the session, which was attended by various stakeholders, including NITI Aayog, SIAM, and the Ministry of Road Transport, leaders from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) called for measures that promote sustainable asset utilization, particularly in segments with high customer impact. They suggested that the government consider both component-level and vehicle-level incentives to bolster the industry.
Furthermore, the OEM representatives reached a consensus that the initial efforts in truck electrification should focus on established routes and predictable usage patterns to maximize efficiency. Muthukumar N, from Ashok Leyland, emphasised targeting sectors like e-commerce that align with customer needs to reduce operation costs for large trucks, which predominantly run on conventional fuels.
Representatives from Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland, leading in electric truck offerings, underlined the importance of sustainable asset utilisation to leverage the subsidy funds fully. V.G. Kulkarni from Mahindra Truck & Bus Division and S.O. Tyagi from TI Clean Mobility also highlighted the critical role of incentivizing electric trucks to accelerate their development and adoption in India.
The discussions also touched on the significant pollution contribution from the heavy transport sector, making the case for electric trucks as a crucial component of a cleaner transportation network. They underscored the importance of the PM E-Drive scheme in advancing sustainable transportation, with experts noting the potential for substantial reductions in fuel consumption and bridging the cost gap between internal combustion engine trucks and electric alternatives.
Nikhil Dahiya from Amazon India and other experts stressed the need for robust infrastructure, particularly high-power charging systems along freight routes, to support a growing electric truck market. Concerns about the reliability of power distribution along highways were also discussed, with a call for improvements to support the grid’s alignment with e-mobility needs.
Kamran Rizvi, Secretary of the Ministry of Heavy Industries, remarked on India’s position in the global e-truck market and emphasised the collaborative effort needed from manufacturers, purchasers, and financiers to ensure a swift transition to electric trucks, in line with India’s net zero ambitions by 2070.
The meeting underscored the collective effort by the government and various stakeholders to promote sustainable transport solutions through the PM E-Drive subsidy scheme, aiming for a greener future. The event was a collaboration between the Ministry of Heavy Industries and the International Council on Clean Transportation, with participation from road transport ministry officials.
