New Delhi: India has taken a step towards accelerating the electrification of its freight sector with the launch of the Platform for Aggregating Clean Transport (PACT) and the Zero Emission Truck (ZET) Marketplace at the 5th e-FAST India Summit 2026.
NITI Aayog Member Rajiv Gauba, who delivered the inaugural address, called for strategic electrification of key freight corridors, highlighting the need for stronger financing mechanisms, coordinated infrastructure planning and greater collaboration among stakeholders.
PACT and ZET Marketplace Aim to Address Freight Electrification Gaps
The two platforms are designed to bring together stakeholders across India’s freight and clean mobility ecosystem and address some of the barriers slowing the adoption of zero-emission trucks.
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Key objectives include:
- Aggregating freight demand to create stronger commercial opportunities for electric trucks.
- Developing financing and leasing models that can make electric trucks more financially viable.
- Supporting corridor-based planning for charging infrastructure.
- Connecting logistics providers, vehicle manufacturers, financiers and charge-point operators.
- Creating partnerships around business models, financing and charging infrastructure.
The launch comes as the government seeks to move India’s clean mobility ecosystem from policy intent towards coordinated implementation.
Heavy Trucks Account for Over a Third of Transport Emissions
Gauba highlighted the particular challenge posed by heavy-duty freight vehicles.
Although heavy trucks account for only around 3–4% of India’s vehicle fleet, they contribute more than one-third of transport-sector carbon emissions, according to the PIB release.
At the same time, around 70% of India’s freight moves by road, making the electrification of major freight corridors an important component of the country’s clean mobility strategy.
Gauba pointed to three major barriers:
- Fragmentation among logistics operators
- High financing costs for electric trucks
- Lack of coordinated freight corridor planning
Only Around 800 Electric Heavy Trucks Sold in 2025
The scale of the challenge is reflected in the relatively low adoption of electric heavy-duty trucks. Gauba noted that only around 800 heavy-duty electric trucks were sold in 2025.
He called for new financial and commercial models to narrow the cost gap between electric trucks and conventional diesel-powered vehicles.
Measures highlighted include:
- Blended finance mechanisms
- Leasing models
- Stronger data systems
- Corridor-based charging infrastructure
- Market-driven partnerships
The objective is to reduce the cost of capital for electric trucks and make their commercial adoption more viable.
EV Adoption Linked to Energy Security and Net-Zero Goals
Gauba described the transition to electric mobility as an economic, environmental and strategic imperative, linking it to India’s energy security and the country’s commitment to achieving Net Zero emissions by 2070.
He also highlighted government measures that have supported the wider EV ecosystem, including:
- Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes for automobiles and advanced chemistry cells
- Expansion of public charging infrastructure
- FAME
- PM E-DRIVE
- PARIVARTAN
- PM e-Bus Sewa
These measures have contributed to the expansion of India’s electric mobility ecosystem.
Stakeholders Asked to Shape India’s Electric Freight Market
Gauba called on logistics providers, manufacturers, charge-point operators and financiers to actively participate in the new platforms.
He said their involvement would be important in developing the corridors, financing instruments and commercial models that could shape India’s electric freight market.
The latest initiative also reflects a broader approach in which government seeks to create platforms and systems that allow market participants to develop solutions in complex and capital-intensive sectors.
