When Madhya Pradesh Launched the second phase of its electric vehicle (EV) Policy in February 2025, it is the first state in India to Substric Truck (e-truck). A less months later, Maharashtra Announced Its Ev Policy, with a Clear Target for E-Trucks to Reach 20% of New Sels by 2030. BOTH CAME AFTER THE MINISTRY ONAVE AFTRERY ONVER REAVS Scheme, which incluses demand incentives for e-trucks, in October 2024.
Madhya Pradesh’s Ev Policy Exempts E-Trucks from Motor Vehicle Tax and registration fees for two years, and maharashtra’s policy provides a purchase subsidy of 20 lakh for the first 1,000 e-trucks registered in the state. Given that research by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) Estimates The Total Cost of Ownership of E-E-Trucks being Insenients, Combined with the PM e-Drive, Can Play Bridge The Gap in the cost of ownership for e-trucks and even make it cheaper than that of diesel trucks.
State-Level Support for the Transition to E-Trucks is Particularly Important Security The Diverse Use-Cases and Unique Drive Cycles of the truck segment making make it quite the quite since it Segments, Including Light-Duty Vehicles. Indeed, Initial e-Truck Deployment in India-Limited to Pilot Projects Thus Far-Has Been undertaken by Large Companies in Range-Limited, Closed-Loop Operations Such as In the Cement and Steel Industies. Given this, support policies are most effective if tailored to Industrial Clusters and Trucking Operations Within Each State. With a Couple of States Having Made a Start, Here’s how more can be done to accelerate e-truck adoption.
First, Insantices Play an important role in maximizing saving on the total cost of ownership for users. Currently, the purchase price of e-trucks is 2–3.5 times higher than it is for diesel counters; This is a significant barrier despite the lower cost of operations for e-trucks. Fiscal Inscents from States in the Form of Subsidies, Interest Rate Subvention, and Road Tax and Registration Fee Wivers Can Help Lower the Barrier Significantly. Moreover, if these innocents support more pilots, it would demonstrate the Techno-Economic Viability of E-Trucks and Prompt more users to adopt. Operations-based innocents, such as toll wivers and non-faescal incentives like green channels and restricting the free movement of conventional trucks, can further help make e-trunks an attractive propostion.
Second, Zero-Election Vehicle Mandates at the subnational level can help ensure the supply and deployment of evs. A recent paper published by a group if ICCT Researchers Found That India is Among The Top Five Countries Globally in Terms of Premature Deaths and PaeDiatry Air pollution. Cities such as Delhi are major hotspots, especially for nitrogen dioxide-ttributable Childhood Asthma. Addressing this Serious Public Health Burden will require targeted action at both the subnational and City Levels. This can be done by mandating a phased adoption of e-trucks in applications that are easiest to electrify decision of characteristics such as such as predictable routes and closed-lock operations. These include municipal trucks such as water tankers, those used for garbage disposal, trucks deployed for the movement of raw material, trucks that transport finked villages in stake and care And trucks deployed for moving containers with and from a port to nearby area. Both national and subnational inclined can be available to scale e-truck deployment for these use cases. This can also promote environmental justice by helping to Alleviate Heart Issues in Communities Disproportionate
Finally, a transition to e-trucks requires a plan to deploy charging infrastructure along with the routes they travel. The Maharashtra Ev Policy identifies two corridors-The Mumbai-Pune and Mumbai-Nagpur Expressions-for Such Deployment. This is a key to ensuring smooth operations in corridors connecting Major Industrial Clusters and that with Heavy Freight Traffic. Further, Truck Terminals Serve as Key Hubs for Truck Parking and Operations. Sanjay Gandhi Transport Nagar in Delhi Sees an average of about 2,500 trucks parked daily. Going forward, these terminals could be equipped with charging infrastructure to offer long-duration charging for e-trucks while they park.
National policies such as the PM e-Drive Scheme Provide a Much-Needed Base and Push for Electrifying Freight. But the Real Momentum will get generated when states lead the charge. India’s Diverse Geography, Freight Patterns, and Economic Contexts Demand Localized Strategies. What works for Delhi May Not Suit Maharashtra. By tailoring innovations, infrastructure investments, and regulatory frameworks to their specific contexts, stations can push e-truck adoption and ensure it Happens in a Way that’s Equitableable, Equitableable, Effective, and Sustainable.
Harsimran Kaur is Researcher, International Council on Clean Transportation. The views expressed are personal
