Decarbonisation of Freight Sector in India

Background

The transport sector is the fastest-growing contributor to climate change, accounting for about a quarter (23 percent) of global emissions. It is one of the significant sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in countries such as the US, UK and India. In India, medium and heavy-duty trucks comprise only 2 percent of the total vehicle population but contribute 30 percent of the overall vehicular road transport emissions.

Given this disproportionate share of GHG emissions, there is a critical need for a faster transition of medium and heavy-duty freight vehicles. Accelerated electric vehicle (EV) uptake across industry sectors and vehicle types are essential for India to meet the objectives of the Paris Agreement and ratchet up its ambition on Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

A clear demand for medium and heavy-duty vehicle electrification from businesses in India in key vehicle applications can jumpstart a transition. Being the third-largest truck market after China and the United States, India’s early adoption of zero-emission trucks can be instrumental in accelerating its domestic climate imperatives and supporting global climate action.

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