Companies unite to advance truck electrification in India and signal demand for at least 7700 electric freight vehicles by 2030
Goa, India, 20 July 2023: Today, at a G20 and Clean Energy Ministerial side event in Goa, prominent manufacturing companies and logistics service providers jointly expressed an ambitious demand for 7700 electric freight vehicles by 2030. This was announced during NITI Aayog’s e-FAST (Electric Freight Accelerator for Sustainable Transport) initiative’s event, to advance the electrification of the truck market in India.
Smart Freight Centre (SFC) is one of the implementing partners of the Indian Government’s e-FAST initiative. Through its regional office, Smart Freight Centre India aims to accelerate decarbonization in the freight and logistics industry and is dedicated to reversing the projected increase in CO₂ emissions 400% by 2047. Together with esteemed organizations and experts, SFC India aims to quantify freight emissions, identify solutions and build capacity. This will include the development of three taskforces as announced at the Driving Zero-Emission Freight event in India, a side-event of the Clean Energy Ministerial. These taskforces involve demand aggregation and pilots, unit economics and fleet finance, as well as policy frameworks. They will focus on creating market signal for auto manufacturers/OEMs by initiating large-scale corridors and cluster operations. The goal is to lead to the adoption of at least 7,700 ZE MHDVs (Zero- Emission Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles) by 2030.
This announcement comes after a series of dialogues with shippers and logistics service providers, including some prominent SFC members, that are committed to reducing their freight emissions under the e-FAST platform. These conversations were led by all implementing partners supporting the Indian government achieve its decarbonization goals under this initiative.
Read the full press release from NITI Aayog.
Learn more about the initiative here: Video
We commend the remarkable collaboration demonstrated by the industry leaders in their concerted efforts to drive the electrification of India's truck market. The initiative undertaken by these prominent companies under the NITI led e-FAST India platform aligns perfectly with our vision for sustainable development. By signaling demand for thousands of electric trucks and establishing a national task force, they are setting a strong foundation for the transition towards zero-emission vehicles. I am thrilled to witness such transformative collaboration and endeavors, which will undoubtedly contribute to India's journey as a front-runner in decarbonizing the road freight ecosystem.
Sudhendu Sinha
Adviser, NITI Aayog
Now that we as Smart Freight Centre have a firm foot on the ground in India, we strongly endorse this united demand for an ambitious yet tangible goal to decarbonize heavy duty transport in India. The G20 and Clean Energy Ministerial shows momentum for a just transition in this energy intensive market. We are glad to see so many global companies align in order to jointly meet global climate goals.
Christoph Wolff
Chief Executive Officer, Smart Freight Centre
For additional information about Smart Freight Centre India, email india@smartfreightcentre.org.
About the E-FAST platform
NITI Aayog launched the e-FAST India (Electric Freight Accelerator for Sustainable Transport - India) platform to help build momentum by creating a larger community of potential first-movers of transporters, financers, regulators, government agencies, carriers and other associated enablers, catalyzing partnerships for deployment of pilots.
To learn more, visit: www.efastindia.org
About SFC India
SFC India aims to minimize the climate impact of the freight and logistics sector in India, recognizing the urgent need to address the projected increase in CO₂ emissions, (400% by 2047). Together with esteemed organizations and experts, we quantify freight emissions, identify solutions and build regional capacity. Through collaboration, SFC India’s goals include creating regional communities for action, initially focusing on eco-driving and fuel efficiency measures. expanding to explore investments like vehicle electrification for further emission reduction. SFC India partners are WRI and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).
To learn more, visit our webpage.