Centre Launches Rs 10.9 Billion Scheme for E-Trucks

14 Jul 2025 CW Team

Approved by the Union Cabinet led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (E-DRIVE) scheme was sanctioned on 11 September 2024, with a total outlay of Rs 10.9 billion over two years.

The scheme is part of India's strategic push towards clean and sustainable freight mobility, in line with its net-zero emissions target by 2070. It will offer demand incentives for N2 and N3 category electric trucks, defined under the Central Motor Vehicle Rules (CMVR). In the case of articulated vehicles, incentives apply only to the puller tractor of the N3 category.

Manufacturers must offer a five-year or 500,000 km warranty on batteries and a five-year or 250,000 km warranty on vehicles and motors, whichever comes first. The maximum incentive available is Rs 960,000 per vehicle, depending on gross vehicle weight, provided as an upfront discount and later reimbursed to OEMs through the PM E-DRIVE portal on a first-come, first-served basis.

The government estimates that the scheme will facilitate the deployment of around 5,600 e-trucks nationwide. Of this, 1,100 e-trucks are earmarked for Delhi, with an allocation of Rs 1 billion, aimed at improving the capital's air quality.

Key industries likely to benefit include cement, ports, steel, and logistics. Major manufacturers such as Volvo Eicher, Tata Motors, and Ashok Leyland are already producing electric trucks domestically. The Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) has committed to procuring 150 e-trucks over two years and aims for at least 15 per cent of its total fleet across all units to be electric.

To avail of the incentives, scrapping of old, polluting trucks is mandatory, reinforcing the dual focus on modernisation and emissions reduction.

According to the Ministry, this initiative is a forward-looking step aligned with the government’s vision of building a self-reliant electric mobility ecosystem. It is expected to lower logistics costs, reduce carbon emissions, and enhance air quality in both urban and regional areas.

Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel HD Kumaraswamy has officially launched the electric truck incentive scheme under the PM E-DRIVE programme, marking the first time the central government is directly supporting electric freight vehicles.Approved by the Union Cabinet led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (E-DRIVE) scheme was sanctioned on 11 September 2024, with a total outlay of Rs 10.9 billion over two years.The scheme is part of India's strategic push towards clean and sustainable freight mobility, in line with its net-zero emissions target by 2070. It will offer demand incentives for N2 and N3 category electric trucks, defined under the Central Motor Vehicle Rules (CMVR). In the case of articulated vehicles, incentives apply only to the puller tractor of the N3 category.Manufacturers must offer a five-year or 500,000 km warranty on batteries and a five-year or 250,000 km warranty on vehicles and motors, whichever comes first. The maximum incentive available is Rs 960,000 per vehicle, depending on gross vehicle weight, provided as an upfront discount and later reimbursed to OEMs through the PM E-DRIVE portal on a first-come, first-served basis.The government estimates that the scheme will facilitate the deployment of around 5,600 e-trucks nationwide. Of this, 1,100 e-trucks are earmarked for Delhi, with an allocation of Rs 1 billion, aimed at improving the capital's air quality.Key industries likely to benefit include cement, ports, steel, and logistics. Major manufacturers such as Volvo Eicher, Tata Motors, and Ashok Leyland are already producing electric trucks domestically. The Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) has committed to procuring 150 e-trucks over two years and aims for at least 15 per cent of its total fleet across all units to be electric.To avail of the incentives, scrapping of old, polluting trucks is mandatory, reinforcing the dual focus on modernisation and emissions reduction.According to the Ministry, this initiative is a forward-looking step aligned with the government’s vision of building a self-reliant electric mobility ecosystem. It is expected to lower logistics costs, reduce carbon emissions, and enhance air quality in both urban and regional areas.

Infrastructure Urban

17 Sep 2025

DCPC Prepares for Special Campaign 5.0 with Focus on E-Waste

The Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals (DCPC), Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers, is gearing up for Special Campaign 5.0, to be held from 2nd to 31st October 2025. The initiative will focus on e-waste disposal as per MoEFCC’s E-Waste Management Rules 2022, space optimisation, and enhancing workplace efficiency across field offices.Special Campaign 4.0, conducted between October 2023 and October 2024, delivered notable results in record management, grievance redressal, scrap disposal, and cleanliness drives.Key outcomes of Special Campaign 4.0Records management: 2,443 physical fil..

Real Estate

17 Sep 2025

BlackRock India Leases 1.4 Lakh Sq Ft in Bengaluru

BlackRock Services India, the domestic arm of global asset manager BlackRock, has leased 1.4 lakh sq ft of office space at IndiQube Symphony in Bengaluru, according to Propstack data. The 10-year deal is valued at around Rs 4.10 billion.The lease, among the largest transactions in India’s co-working sector, highlights the growing preference of global institutions for flexible office providers. The agreement, commencing October 1, 2025, covers ground plus five floors in KNG Tower 1 at Ashoknagar, MG Road — one of Bengaluru’s prime commercial hubs.As per the lease document, BlackRock will ..

Infrastructure Transport

17 Sep 2025

L&T Bags Rs 25–50 Bn Order for Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Track Works

Larsen & Toubro’s (L&T) Transportation Infrastructure business has secured an order valued between Rs 25 crore and Rs 50 billion from the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) corridor.The contract, Package T1, involves the design, supply, construction, testing, and commissioning of 156 route km of high-speed ballastless track on a Design-Build Lump Sum Price basis. The stretch runs from Mumbai’s Bandra-Kurla Complex to Zaroli village in Gujarat and includes 21 km of underground track and 135 km of elevated viaduct.Se..