India’s trucking industry—comprising 6.3 million trucks and handling 70% of domestic freight—is the backbone of the nation’s economy. However, it is also a major contributor to pollution, consuming 838 billion liters of diesel annually and emitting 120 million tCO₂e—nearly 60% of India’s ground transport emissions. Logistics costs remain high, with companies spending 10–15% of their expenses on transporting goods to and from factories. 

Despite the urgent need for decarbonization, India has only 869 electric medium- and heavy-duty freight vehicles. The high upfront cost of electric trucks, coupled with limited charging infrastructure, remains a significant roadblock. While corporate sustainability goals are driving early adoption, large-scale electrification requires deeper structural changes. Additional barriers, including a fragmented industry, the absence of standardized contracts, and a lack of strong regulatory mandates, further slow progress. 

Through several projects, WRI India works at the intersection of clean energy, logistics, and freight decarbonization — advancing zero-emission trucking through targeted policy design, real-world pilots, and cross-sector collaboration with government, fleet operators, OEMs, and financiers. 

e-FAST India: Paving the Way for Zero-Emission Freight 

Launched in 2022 by NITI Aayog, with WRI India as the lead partner, the Electric Freight Accelerator for Sustainable Transport (e-FAST India) platform is the first-of-its-kind platform to advance freight electrification.  

 

 

 

 

 

Impact in Action
  • 90 industry partners & 22 knowledge partners.
  • Raising industry awareness and securing commitments for 7,750 e-trucks at the Clean Energy Ministerial.
  • Expanding international collaboration through the launch of a freight decarbonization platform in Brazil.
  • Facilitating early e-truck pilots in Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra, placing freight electrification at the forefront of the industry’s agenda.

By fast-tracking ZET adoption, e-FAST India not only supports India’s Net-Zero vision but also positions the country as a leader in zero-emission freight, inspiring global action in sustainable transport innovation. 

Electrifying Mobility in Cities: Accelerating India’s E-Mobility Transition 

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), with NITI Aayog and WRI India, is leading a four-year GEF-funded project to drive India’s shift to electric mobility. Key components include scaling zero-emission trucks (ZETs) through financing models, developing a sustainable battery ecosystem, piloting e-mobility solutions, and ensuring a just transition for workers and MSMEs. The project strengthens policy, finance, and infrastructure to enable a low-carbon, inclusive transport system. By addressing adoption barriers, it supports India’s climate goals and positions the country as a leader in sustainable mobility innovation. 

Bharat ZET Policy Advisory: Shaping India’s Zero-Emission Trucking Future 

WRI India worked closely with the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India and CoEZET, IIT Madras to shape the Bharat Zero Emission Trucking (ZET) Policy Advisory — India’s first national-level roadmap of interventions required decarbonize the trucking sector. As a technical partner, WRI India supported the development of the advisory’s 30 targeted interventions across incentives, regulation, infrastructure, financing, and stakeholder engagement. These recommendations inform the national conversation on freight electrification and are helping drive coordinated action across ministries, state governments, and industry players. 

Read the Bharat ZET Policy Advisory 

Additional Resources:  

Decarbonizing India’s Road Freight 

Assessing the Viability of Using Autorickshaws for Urban Freight Delivery in India 

Accelerating Freight Electrification in India