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CJ Darcl Logistics has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with National Highways for Electric Vehicles (NHEV) to jointly pilot heavy electric truck operations on the country's emerging e-highway network. The Bengaluru-Chennai corridor has been identified as the first route for the pilot, laying the foundation for a scalable, zero-emission freight ecosystem.
The partnership aims to evaluate the commercial viability of heavy electric vehicle (HEV) operations while developing the supporting infrastructure required for large-scale deployment. Under the agreement, both organisations will jointly establish integrated charging infrastructure, including NHEV's 3G Energy Stations equipped with fast charging, battery swapping, solar power integration and logistics support facilities.
Beyond infrastructure, the collaboration will also focus on jointly owning and operating a fleet of heavy electric trucks designed to transport freight across NHEV's Zero Emission Trucking (ZET) e-highways. The initiative seeks to improve fleet utilisation, lower logistics emissions and create commercially sustainable operating models for long-haul electric freight movement.
Leveraging CJ Darcl's expertise in multimodal logistics and fleet operations alongside NHEV's highway electrification programme, the partners will identify suitable vehicle manufacturers, establish operational standards and collaborate with logistics service providers for fleet management, driver training and operational readiness. The project also includes efforts to recommend policy and infrastructure improvements that can accelerate the adoption of heavy electric freight vehicles across India.
An innovative feature of the partnership is the proposed trailer-exchange model around the National Capital Region (NCR). The model will enable diesel-powered trucks to transfer trailers to electric trucks operating within designated corridors, ensuring uninterrupted cargo movement while reducing emissions in high-density transport zones. Such operational innovations are expected to ease the industry's transition towards cleaner freight mobility without disrupting existing supply chains.
The Bengaluru-Chennai corridor has been selected due to its high freight density and strategic importance in India's logistics network. The pilot is expected to generate operational insights into vehicle performance, charging infrastructure utilisation and cost efficiencies, providing a blueprint for expanding electric freight operations to other major logistics corridors across the country.
As India's logistics sector intensifies its focus on sustainability and carbon reduction, the collaboration between CJ Darcl and NHEV represents an important milestone in the transition to green freight transportation. If successful, the pilot could demonstrate a practical and commercially viable pathway for deploying heavy electric trucks at scale, supporting India's broader clean mobility and net-zero ambitions while strengthening the resilience of its freight ecosystem.
𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 CARGOCONNECT 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!
Blue Energy Motors (BEM) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) under the Government of India’s PARIVARTAN Scheme, supporting efforts to replace ageing commercial vehicles with cleaner alternatives across the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR). The initiative seeks to reduce transport-related emissions and improve regional air quality by encouraging the replacement of older, high-emission trucks and buses. Blue Energy Motors’ participation is expected to support the wider adoption of electric heavy-duty trucks, offering freight and logistics operators a pathway towards zero-emission road transport. Commenting on the development, Anirudh Bhuwalka, Founder and Managing Director, Blue Energy Motors, said the scheme represents an important step towards cleaner freight mobility. He emphasised that policy support, advanced vehicle technology and a strong domestic manufacturing ecosystem can collectively accelerate India’s transition to zero-emission freight transportation. Scaling Green Freight Operations Blue Energy Motors is advancing cleaner heavy-duty transport through its electric and liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered truck solutions. According to the company, more than 1,400 of its green heavy-duty trucks are operating across key freight routes in India, collectively covering over 150 million green kilometres. The company reports that these operations have helped avoid more than 44,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, equivalent to the carbon absorption of approximately 1.8 million trees. The MoU adds a policy-led dimension to the company’s efforts to expand cleaner freight mobility. By connecting government support with available vehicle technologies and industry participation, the PARIVARTAN Scheme aims to encourage fleet operators to consider replacing older commercial vehicles with cleaner options. Policy Support for Cleaner Roads The transition to cleaner commercial transportation remains an important consideration for India’s freight and logistics sector, particularly in the Delhi-NCR region, where vehicle emissions contribute to air-quality challenges. Schemes that facilitate fleet renewal can help create opportunities for the adoption of cleaner technologies, while supporting operators in evaluating their transition to lower-emission vehicles. Blue Energy Motors said it looks forward to contributing to the initiative through its electric heavy-duty truck technology and continued focus on sustainable freight mobility. The partnership underscores the role of coordinated action between policymakers, vehicle manufacturers and fleet operators in advancing cleaner road freight. As India pursues more sustainable transport solutions, initiatives such as PARIVARTAN could help connect vehicle replacement efforts with the technologies needed to reduce the environmental footprint of commercial transportation.
