New Delhi: In a major step toward sustainable freight mobility, Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), the country’s largest steel-producing CPSE, has committed to procure 150 electric trucks (e-trucks) over the next two years under the PM E-DRIVE Scheme launched by the Ministry of Heavy Industries.
SAIL also announced an internal target of ensuring at least 15% of all vehicles hired across its units are electric, setting an example for other Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) to follow in the transition to green logistics.
A First-of-Its-Kind Incentive Scheme for Electric Trucks
The PM E-DRIVE (Electric Deployment and Road Infrastructure for Vehicles and Efficiency) scheme is the Government of India’s first major initiative to provide financial incentives for electric trucks. The program aims to decarbonize heavy freight while modernizing fleets through a scrappage-linked incentive model.
To qualify for the incentives, old, polluting diesel trucks must be scrapped, ensuring a dual benefit of fleet modernization and emission reduction.
Up to ₹9.6 Lakh Incentive Per E-Truck
The scheme offers an upfront incentive of up to ₹9.6 lakh per electric truck, depending on the vehicle’s Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW). The subsidy will be directly reimbursed to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) through the PM E-DRIVE portal on a first-come, first-served basis.
A total of approximately 5,600 e-trucks are expected to benefit nationwide. Of these, 1,100 e-trucks are reserved for Delhi, supported by a dedicated outlay of ₹100 crore, addressing the National Capital Region’s urgent air quality concerns.
Sectors to Gain: Steel, Cement, Ports & Logistics
Key sectors poised to benefit from the PM E-DRIVE scheme include:
- Steel
- Cement
- Ports
Logistics and supply chain
As one of the most energy-intensive industries, SAIL’s early adoption of electric trucks is expected to significantly reduce its carbon footprint, especially in the last-mile delivery and intra-plant logistics segments.
OEMs Gearing Up: Tata, Volvo Eicher, Ashok Leyland on Board
Several Indian and global commercial vehicle manufacturers are already engaged in producing electric trucks:
- Tata Motors
- Volvo Eicher Commercial Vehicles (VECV)
- Ashok Leyland
Their readiness ensures that the domestic market has access to locally manufactured e-trucks, promoting Make in India and reducing import dependency.
Leadership in Clean Freight Mobility
SAIL’s proactive commitment not only reflects its support for the PM E-DRIVE initiative but also underscores the role of CPSEs in leading the clean energy transition in India’s industrial and transport sectors.
About SAIL
SAIL, or Steel Authority of India Ltd, is an Indian public sector steel manufacturing corporation headquartered in New Delhi. It’s one of India’s largest steel manufacturers and a “Maharatna” (a top-tier Public Sector Enterprise). SAIL manages several integrated and special steel plants across India, including those in Bhilai, Rourkela, Durgapur, Bokaro, and Burnpur. It is the largest government-owned steel producer in India, with an annual production capacity of 18.29 million metric tons.
