India Identifies Top 10 Corridors for Zero-Emission Trucking

From delivering goods directly from manufacturers in Chennai to stores in Guwahati, or from a port in Kolkata to a warehouse in Jodhpur, or to customers’ doors in Bhopal, the trucking industry is the backbone of the Indian economy.

Trucks are essential for intermodal freight (e.g., moving goods from ports, rail terminals, airports or manufacturing units to final destinations), acting as the last-mile link.

The trucking industry generates billions in revenue and employs millions of people, ranging from drivers to logistics personnel. It supports commerce in nearly every sector—retail, agriculture, manufacturing, and construction by ensuring materials and products reach their destinations.

Trucks are often the only practical option for freight delivery in rural or remote regions that are not serviced by rail or air. Yet, as it fuels economic growth, the sector also stands among the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions.

Challenges of the Trucking Industry in India

Most trucks operating in India are diesel-powered, heavy-duty vehicles that emit carbon dioxide (CO₂) and other pollutants, including nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) and particulate matter (PM).

These trucks are responsible for smog and poor air quality, particularly in urban areas, port cities, and along major highways.

Considering the size and geography of India, many trucks drive hundreds of thousands of kilometres annually, often carrying heavy loads. 

Long-distance trucking further results in significantly higher fuel consumption and CO₂ output per vehicle compared to short-haul or urban trucks. A recent report highlighted that nearly 40% of fuel consumption and transport emissions in India originate from long-distance trucks.

Another cause of truck emissions is the road conditions and traffic.

Despite improvements, many highways and rural roads are in poor condition, with potholes, uneven surfaces, and narrow lanes. This, along with traffic jams, congestion at toll plazas, and frequent stoppages at state borders, releases emissions. 

Zero-Emission Trucks

So while trucks are essential to the economy, balancing their environmental impact is a growing priority.

This duality presents an opportunity to reimagine India’s freight movement in a way that is not only efficient and reliable but also clean and future-ready.

Adopting sustainable transportation in India will play a crucial role in decarbonising the logistics sector, improving public health, enhancing energy independence, and showcasing the country’s leadership in the global transition to a net-zero future.

In 2024, the Indian government launched the PM E-DRIVE scheme, allocating Rs 500 crore to accelerate the uptake of trucks without tailpipe emissions, also known as zero-emission trucks (ZETs). 

Consequently, zero-emission trucks started arriving on Indian roads. In March 2025, the country flagged off the first-ever trials of hydrogen-powered heavy-duty trucks by Tata Motors in New Delhi.

While electric and hydrogen trucks are emerging, they’re still relatively expensive and have limited infrastructure support (charging stations, hydrogen refuelling, etc.).

Moreover, transitioning fleets is logistically complex and capital-intensive for operators, particularly small trucking companies.

Therefore, to sustain and scale sustainable trucking in India, coordinated policy, infrastructure, and financing efforts are essential.

ZET Corridors

A foundational step in this journey is the development of dedicated zero-emission trucks (ZETs) corridors equipped with charging and refuelling infrastructure to unlock reliable, long-distance zero-emission freight movement.

To support this national transition, the Indian Government released a report on India’s Priority Corridors for Zero-Emission Trucking. 

This report outlines ten critical highway segments across the country that offer the highest potential for the adoption of zero-emission trucks, aiming to catalyse a national transition towards cleaner, more sustainable freight movement.

Developed with the support of the Centre of Excellence for Zero Emission Trucking (CoEZET) – IIT Madras, Rocky Mountain Institute, and pManifold as knowledge partners, these insights are expected to guide future investments in charging infrastructure, public-private partnerships, and regulatory support mechanisms.

Drawing from over a year of rigorous analysis and extensive stakeholder engagement across the logistics ecosystem, the report identifies the top ten high-impact corridors best positioned for early ZET deployment.

The top 10 corridors for Zero-Emission Trucking (ZET) in India were identified through a three-phase process: quantitative and qualitative assessment of an initial list of 230 corridors using parameters such as toll traffic data and mapping of supply and demand centres, stakeholder consultations and detailed field research to shortlist the top 10 corridors.

In addition, factors such as high freight traffic, industrial activity, availability of ancillary services, grid infrastructure readiness, corridor length relative to battery range, and strategic stakeholder inputs for commercial and business viability were also taken into account while finalising the corridors.

By strategically targeting these corridors, India can accelerate its transition to a zero-emission freight sector while boosting competitiveness and resilience.

These corridors serve not only as the best candidates for ZET pilots but also as blueprints for the future of freight movement.

The report acts as a strategic guide for policymakers, industry leaders, and investors, offering a clear path toward a cleaner, more resilient, and competitive freight system.

Top 10 Corridors for Zero-Emission Trucking

The 10 corridors identified for zero-emission trucks are spread across India. In terms of geographic distribution, the majority are in the Southern region.

The longest corridor is Chennai-Bengaluru, on which, as per the report, 10,366 trucks pass through daily. In terms of average daily traffic volume, the Dhanbad-Kolkata corridor leads the pack with more than 15,000 trucks passing through it every day. 

Care has been taken to ensure that none of the top 10 corridors has significant elevation gains over short stretches that require large battery capacity or numerous additional chargers, contributing to their technological and economic feasibility.

Wrapping Up

As India makes economic progress, the truck requirement is expected to quadruple to roughly 17 million trucks by 2050 to meet growing demand. 

The top 10 corridors identified through this process present a significant opportunity for India to kick-start and sustain the ZET market and demonstrate leadership in clean transportation.

The adoption of Zero-Emission Trucks is crucial for decarbonising the logistics sector, reducing air pollution, and strengthening India’s energy security.