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The Centre is working on a freight interchange system around the National Capital Region (NCR) to prevent long-haul diesel trucks from entering Delhi during the winter pollution season. Under the proposed model, cargo would be transferred to electric trucks at logistics hubs on the city’s outskirts before being transported to warehouses and distribution centres within the capital.
The initiative aims to reduce freight-related emissions without disrupting the movement of essential and commercial goods when air-quality restrictions are imposed. It also aligns with India’s wider efforts to promote electric mobility and cleaner urban logistics.
Around five multimodal logistics hubs are proposed at strategic NCR locations, including Sonipat, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Greater Noida and Gurugram. These facilities would serve as interchange points for cargo arriving on long-distance routes.
Medium and heavy diesel trucks would halt at the designated hubs to unload consignments or exchange trailers. Electric trucks would then undertake the final leg of the journey into Delhi, transporting goods to warehouses, distribution centres and customers.
The hubs are expected to form part of the National Highways for EV initiative, being developed through a public-private partnership model to strengthen electric vehicle and charging infrastructure across major transport corridors.
The proposed system seeks to keep diesel-powered freight vehicles outside Delhi’s borders while allowing electric and other low-emission vehicles to manage urban deliveries. Although initially linked to the winter pollution season, the interchange model could eventually support a more permanent transition towards cleaner city logistics.
The initiative could also help reduce the operational disruptions caused by diesel-truck restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). When Stage IV measures are enforced, the entry of medium and heavy diesel goods vehicles is restricted, except for trucks carrying essential commodities or covered by specific exemptions.
These restrictions frequently result in vehicles queuing at Delhi’s borders, delaying deliveries and affecting supply-chain schedules. Freight interchange hubs could provide an alternative by enabling cargo to continue moving even when diesel trucks are prevented from entering the city.
Heavy trucks account for a relatively small proportion of vehicles operating on Delhi’s roads but are estimated to contribute around 23 percent of transport-related PM2.5 emissions. Their impact is particularly significant at night, when a large share of freight movement takes place.
The interchange proposal is intended to complement Delhi’s Winter Pollution Action Plan, which remains in effect from November 1 to February 28 unless stricter GRAP measures are introduced.
The seasonal plan includes checks on Pollution Under Control certificates, restrictions on certain non-BS VI vehicles, staggered office timings, work-from-home advisories, construction controls and measures against open burning.
If implemented, the EV-based freight interchange system could allow cargo movement to continue during severe pollution episodes while reducing the presence of diesel trucks within Delhi. It would also mark a significant step towards integrating clean mobility with urban freight planning.
NITI Aayog and Germany’s international cooperation agency, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, have signed an implementation agreement to accelerate the decarbonisation of India's road freight sector, with a focus on promoting electric medium- and heavy-duty trucks. The agreement was signed on November 3, 2026, under the second phase of the Nationally Determined Contribution–Transport Initiative for Asia (NDC-TIA II). The regional initiative is supported by the German Government's International Climate Initiative (IKI) and aims to support participating countries in reducing transport-related emissions and advancing their climate commitments. The collaboration comes at a time when India is seeking to transition towards a more sustainable, energy-efficient and low-carbon transportation ecosystem. Road freight remains critical to the country's supply chain and logistics operations, making the adoption of cleaner commercial vehicles an important part of its broader decarbonisation strategy. However, the electrification of medium- and heavy-duty freight vehicles remains at an early stage. Limited charging infrastructure, high upfront vehicle costs, access to financing and the need for supportive regulations continue to present challenges to wider adoption. The NITI Aayog–GIZ partnership will focus on addressing these structural barriers by supporting the development of adequate charging infrastructure, exploring innovative financing mechanisms and strengthening the regulatory framework required to facilitate electric truck deployment. The initiative brings together several knowledge and implementation partners, including World Resources Institute (WRI) India, the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) India and Agora Energiewende. Their participation is expected to support policy development, technical expertise and coordinated efforts towards cleaner freight transportation. The regional programme also covers China and Vietnam, encouraging collaboration on transport decarbonisation across Asia. For India's logistics industry, the partnership could help create a more conducive environment for fleet electrification, particularly across high-volume freight corridors connecting manufacturing centres, ports and distribution hubs. Improved charging access and financing options will be essential to building confidence among fleet operators and logistics service providers. The agreement marks another step in India's efforts to advance green freight mobility, strengthen energy efficiency and meet its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) targets. By addressing infrastructure, financing and policy challenges together, the collaboration aims to support the gradual transition towards a commercially viable and lower-emission road freight ecosystem. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 CARGOCONNECT 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!
Energy In Motion Ltd (EIM) has inaugurated a ₹500-crore electric heavy commercial vehicle manufacturing complex in Talegaon, Pune to expand electric freight mobility in India. The facility integrates vehicle assembly, lithium-ion battery-pack manufacturing and battery testing, with an initial annual assembly capacity of 5,000 vehicles per shift. Inaugurated by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the complex forms part of EIM’s planned ₹1,000-crore investment in the state. The project is expected to generate more than 2,000 direct and indirect jobs, while supporting the development of capabilities in engineering, research and development, and information technology. Located at Ambi near Talegaon, the facility brings key stages of electric commercial vehicle production under one roof. The company aims to strengthen domestic assembly capabilities and develop a local supplier network as it expands its presence in the heavy-duty electric vehicle segment. The complex also houses a dedicated lithium-ion battery-pack assembly unit and an independent battery-testing laboratory. EIM has allocated ₹60 crore for the first phase of its battery-testing facility, which is being developed in collaboration with Automotive Test Systems. The laboratory will support testing across electrical performance, thermal management, mechanical durability, environmental conditions and battery safety. EIM plans to introduce two additional electric heavy commercial vehicles over the next 15 months: an electric tipper for mining and road construction, and a rigid-body truck designed for freight transportation. These models will expand the company’s portfolio beyond its existing Ashwa 4x2 electric tractor, which targets heavy freight applications, including container movement and port logistics. The company has a technology licensing and supply agreement with BAIC Foton Motor for electric commercial vehicles above 18 tonnes in India. Its battery technology partnership with Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd (CATL) will support the development of higher-capacity battery packs for heavy-duty applications. EIM is preparing to assemble its 400.5-kWh Luna lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery system locally. The company estimates that the battery could deliver a driving range of more than 200 km, compared with approximately 150 km for its existing 282-kWh battery configuration. CATL has agreed to supply 500 MWh of LFP battery cells and pack kits. Beyond manufacturing, EIM is developing a nationwide network of megawatt-scale charging and battery-swapping stations along major highways, ports and industrial clusters. Its battery-swapping technology is designed to replace batteries in compatible vehicles in less than seven minutes, while charging infrastructure will support vehicles using the CCS-2 direct-current fast-charging standard. Therefore, the integrated approach aims to address key operational considerations for freight operators, including vehicle utilisation, charging downtime and energy infrastructure availability. By combining vehicle assembly, battery systems and supporting infrastructure, EIM is positioning itself to serve logistics fleets seeking alternatives to diesel-powered heavy transport as India’s logistics sector explores electric trucks to improve freight efficiency and reduce transport-related emissions. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 CARGOCONNECT 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!
The Union Cabinet has approved the construction of a new coastal highway linking Rameshwar and Paradip in Odisha, a project expected to improve freight movement, reduce transit times and strengthen connectivity across key economic centres along the state's coastline. The project carries an estimated investment of ₹8,300 crore and will be developed under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM). Approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), the 160.18-km corridor will pass through the districts of Khurda, Puri, Kendrapada and Jagatsinghpur. The new route is designed to address capacity and operational constraints on existing road links that currently handle a mix of local and long-distance traffic. The project will be executed in two phases. The first package includes a four-lane access-controlled highway between Rameshwar and Konark, while the second package involves the development of a two-lane road with paved shoulders from Konark to Paradip. Both sections have been designed for vehicle speeds of up to 100 kmph. From a logistics perspective, the highway is expected to improve access to major economic and transport assets across the region. Government estimates indicate that the corridor will connect nine economic nodes and five logistics hubs, including ports, rail infrastructure and industrial clusters. The project aligns with the PM GatiShakti framework, which focuses on integrated multimodal infrastructure development. Officials said the existing road network, particularly stretches connecting Puri, Satapada and Konark, faces operational challenges due to heavy local traffic and roadside development. The new corridor is intended to provide a more efficient route for both passenger and cargo transportation while reducing congestion on existing highways. Upon completion, travel time between Rameshwar and Paradip is expected to be reduced by approximately two and a half hours. The government also expects the project to lower vehicle operating costs, improve fuel efficiency and support more reliable freight movement along Odisha's coast. The corridor is expected to support industries including fisheries, food processing, manufacturing and export-oriented businesses by providing improved access to ports and logistics infrastructure. It is also projected to generate substantial employment during the construction phase through both direct and indirect jobs. Follow CARGOCONNECT for more such updates.
