India has marked a historic milestone in electric mobility. On World EV Day 2025, National Highways for Electric Vehicles (NHEV) and Transvolt Mobility announced the rollout of 1,000 electric trucks across the country. This achievement follows a year-long trial that began in Chennai on World EV Day 2024.
From Trials to Deployment
The journey started when Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) launched a commercial prototyping trial for electric trucks. Earlier, EoDB had successfully piloted electric cars and buses on the Delhi-Agra (2020) and Delhi-Jaipur (2022) highways. Building on this success, EoDB partnered with Transvolt Mobility in 2024 to test heavy-duty electric trucks.
This trial united policymakers, financiers, fleet operators, and logistics players. Together, they worked to accelerate adoption, cut costs, and build industry confidence.
Financing the Transition
On August 1, 2025, EoDB introduced a ₹500 Crores financing instrument. This initiative aimed to fund 720–810 electric trucks through Viability Gap Funding (VGF).
However, investor confidence and strong participation pushed the project beyond expectations. As a result, 1,000 electric trucks were financed and approved for deployment.
Stakeholder Perspectives
Shri Sudhendu J. Sinha, Advisor at NITI Aayog, said:
“Electric trucks have been among the largest carbon emitters. With PM E-DRIVE incentives and private capital flowing into NHEV, India is moving in the right direction. Investments such as IFC’s $20 million in Transvolt and $57 million in NHEV will speed up the adoption of heavy-duty EVs.”
Shri Abhijeet Sinha, National Program Director at EoDB, explained:
“This deployment proves both the technical and financial models. Manufacturers and operators are now determined to lower truck costs from ₹1.25 Crores to ₹90 Lakhs. This shift will reduce logistics expenses by nearly 10% compared to diesel fleets.”
Shri Siddesh Rai, Vice President at Transvolt Mobility, added:
“The 1,000 trucks will serve construction, mining, shipyards, and ports. They will also link multimodal Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals (GCTs). This integration ensures faster and broader adoption across India’s freight routes.”
Market Momentum
India’s EV truck market is gaining pace. Sales nearly doubled in August 2025, boosted by the government’s ₹500 Crores incentive scheme introduced in July.
Under the PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) program, operators now receive ₹2.7–9.3 Lakhs per truck as an upfront subsidy. This incentive makes EV trucks more cost-effective than ever before.
Strong Global and Domestic Support
Two major financing announcements backed this deployment:
| Investor / Institution | Amount Invested | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| International Finance Corporation (IFC) | $20 Million USD | Equity investment in Transvolt Mobility |
| Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) | $57 Million USD (₹500 Crores) | Blended climate financing with VGF support |
These funds form part of a larger ₹3672 Crores credit outlay arranged with HDFC Bank to accelerate clean mobility ventures.
The Road Ahead
With the launch of 1,000 electric trucks, NHEV and Transvolt Mobility have set a new benchmark for India’s freight sector. These vehicles will cut emissions, lower costs, and strengthen clean transport.
Furthermore, this milestone shows that India is ready to scale zero-emission freight transport. Public-private partnerships, global capital, and supportive policies are now driving the transition to sustainable logistics.