Field-level

engagement is helping drivers, fleet owners, and mechanics better understand

how electric trucking could fit into their everyday lives

Lucknow, 10

March (HS): According to NITI Aayog’s 2025 report, 'Unlocking a $200 Billion

Opportunity', India has made steady progress in electric two-wheelers and buses

and has emerged as a leader in electric three-wheelers. Adoption of electric

trucks, however, remains slower at this stage. Even so, the segment presents clear

scope for growth, especially as awareness, infrastructure, and use-case clarity

continue to improve. Electric trucks are currently finding early use in

specific segments of India’s freight ecosystem. Of the 8,34,578 trucks sold in

India in 2024, 6,220 were electric, with nearly 95 per cent, around 5,940

vehicles, below 3.5 tonnes and typically deployed on short-haul routes. A

smaller number, 280 electric trucks, were in the above-3.5-tonne category,

which is more closely associated with long-haul freight.

That

momentum is beginning to build. Grassroots awareness initiatives are

underscoring the importance of informed decision-making among drivers and fleet

owners. One such effort is Nayi Soch Ki Sawari (NSKS), which is opening up conversations and helping drivers,

owners, and fleet operators better understand what a shift to electric trucks

could mean in practical, day-to-day terms.

By

amplifying the voices of those who have been operating electric trucks and

breaking down technical concepts into simple, relatable conversations, NSKS has

replaced hesitation with curiosity among participants, who are starting to see

how electric trucks could fit into familiar routes, contracts, and daily work

patterns.

For Veer

Singh, an electric truck driver from Swaroopganj, Rajasthan, the shift has been

both practical and personal. He began driving an electric truck earlier this

year. “When I first started, my friends couldn’t believe the truck was switched

on because it was so quiet. Later, I felt proud when I told them that my

company is producing its own fuel through solar panels that power the charging

points. Fixed routes and long-term contracts make electric trucks viable, but

many drivers are still not aware of these benefits.” His experience reflects

how electric trucks can offer quieter drives, familiar routes, and greater

comfort at work.

NSKS has

organised over 350 offline engagement events across 95 districts in 21 states,

reaching over 7,000 individuals from the trucking community. As part of

its engagement efforts, NSKS conducted a perception survey during its offline

engagement events, including drivers, mechanics, and fleet operators. Findings

showed high enthusiasm among drivers, with 95% willing to try electric trucks.

The survey also revealed that from 48% feeling uncertain about the power and

performance of electric trucks, 70% now exhibit confidence in the eTruck

technology after seeing an electric truck in person, indicating growing

openness when the science behind the technology is better understood.

Kritica

Mahajan, Project Lead for NSKS, says, “Apprehensions still exist, and that’s

okay. We’ve heard the concerns about charging access, reliability, and the fear

that change could come at the cost of livelihoods. The initiative doesn’t

dismiss those realities - it addresses them with accurate, factual information.

And we’re seeing a clear change - they’re asking better questions, considering

solutions, and approaching the transition with a more balanced and

solutions-oriented view.”

As

awareness grows, these on-ground efforts suggest that India’s trucking

community is beginning to see how electric trucks could fit into everyday

realities, with the potential for greater comfort, stability, and long-term

security, given the right information and support. From concerns about

performance, the conversations are shifting to demands for supporting infra

solutions.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi