The government has launched a new scheme under the PM E-DRIVE initiative to provide incentives of up to ₹9.6 lakh for electric trucks. Announced by the Union Minister for Heavy Industries, this is the country’s first incentive programme focused on electric freight vehicles.
The scheme has a financial allocation of ₹10,900 crore and will run for two years. It aims to support India’s commitment to reducing vehicular emissions and achieving its net-zero goal by 2070. According to the minister, diesel trucks make up only 3 per cent of total vehicles but contribute 42 per cent of total transport emissions.
The incentives will apply to electric trucks in the N2 and N3 categories, as defined under the Central Motor Vehicle Rules. For the N3 category, incentives will apply only to the puller trucks. To boost trust in electric trucks, manufacturers will be required to offer a five-year or 5 lakh kilometre warranty. For the vehicles and motors, the warranty must be for five years or 2.5 lakh kilometres, whichever comes earlier
The scheme plans to support the deployment of 5,600 e-trucks across the country. Incentives will be calculated based on the gross vehicle weight, with a maximum benefit of ₹9.6 lakh per vehicle. These incentives will be offered as an upfront discount on the purchase price and reimbursed to manufacturers through the PM E-DRIVE portal on a first-come, first-served basis.
To access these benefits, older trucks must be scrapped. The minister described the scheme as “a bold step towards clean, sustainable, and cost-efficient freight mobility.” He also mentioned that sectors such as steel, cement, ports, and logistics will directly benefit.
As part of the plan, SAIL will purchase 150 electric trucks in the next two years and has committed to ensuring that 15 per cent of all its hired vehicles are electric. Additionally, ₹100 crore has been allocated to deploy 1,100 electric trucks in Delhi to help improve the city’s air quality.
“Alongside the progress in e-two wheelers and e-three wheelers and the tender for 10,900 e-buses (India’s largest), this marks another milestone in our Viksit Bharat 2047 journey,” the minister said.
Also read: Viksit Workforce for a Viksit Bharat
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