Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday inaugurated India’s first battery swapping station for heavy-duty electric trucks, marking a major step towards sustainable and efficient freight transport.

The integrated swap-cum-charging facility is located off NH-44 at the Delhi International Cargo Terminal Pvt Ltd (DICT) in Panchi Gujran village, Sonipat, Haryana.

The swappable battery technology allows electric truck batteries to be replaced in just seven minutes — a dramatic improvement over the two hours typically required for conventional charging. This innovation is expected to enhance logistics efficiency, reduce operational costs, and significantly lower carbon emissions.

Speaking at the event, Gadkari urged transporters to transition from diesel and petrol to electric and biofuel alternatives, citing both cost-saving and environmental advantages. “India is moving swiftly towards a diesel-free transport future,” he said, adding that such technologies will play a key role in decarbonising logistics.

Gadkari highlighted ongoing efforts to use agricultural stubble in infrastructure development, citing road projects in Nagpur and Jabalpur as examples. He noted that India aims to produce biofuel from five million tonnes of stubble annually — a move that would reduce pollution and provide new income streams for farmers.

The Minister also spoke about the growing adoption of flex-fuel engines in agricultural machinery and the transformative role of electric vehicle (EV) technology in reshaping India’s transport sector. He pointed out that battery prices have fallen by 50 to 60 per cent in recent years, making EVs increasingly affordable for consumers and businesses alike.

Heavy Industries Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy, who attended the inauguration, described the project as a milestone in India’s clean mobility journey and a step forward in strengthening the nation’s leadership in sustainable transport innovation.