With the government focused on slashing logistics costs as a percentage of GDP by the end of this year, commercial vehicle manufacturers are racing to diversify away from diesel and adopt cleaner, cost-effective alternatives. Union road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari, has already stressed the need for widespread adoption of electric, hydrogen and LNG-powered vehicles to align the country’s freight movement with global standards.
Commercial vehicle (CV) makers, who have long relied on diesel and more recently CNG, are now exploring a mix of powertrains to meet the evolving needs of both the market and policymakers. With no single technology able to meet all demands, companies are developing multi-pronged strategies.
Tata Motors, the country’s largest CV manufacturer, is at the forefront of this shift. The company has created a diverse portfolio that includes battery-electric vehicles, LNG, CNG, hydrogen and flex-fuel technologies tailored for different uses and duty cycles. “Hydrogen fuel cell technology is viewed as the destination for zero-emission, long-haul mobility. The transition to this will be progressive, with battery electric, LNG, and CNG technologies co-existing and continuing to play a critical role in meeting a wide range of operational needs,” a Tata Motors spokesperson told FE.
The company is currently piloting hydrogen-powered trucks on major freight corridors such as Mumbai-Pune and Ahmedabad-Rajkot. These include a 55-tonne and a 28-tonne model from its Prima range. Tata Motors is also operating an electric version of its 55-tonne Prima truck in the steel and cement sectors. This vehicle features a 450kWh battery with a range of 330 km and is capable of dual-gun charging. A lighter electric model, the Prima E.28K tipper, is being used for mining and infrastructure work on fixed routes.
Although hydrogen-powered commercial vehicles are not yet available in the open market due to infrastructure constraints, primarily the unavailability of hydrogen fuel, some transporters have already begun transitioning to electric options. In October 2024, BLR Logistiks and Ikea Supply, part of the Inter Ikea Group, introduced the country’s first electric heavy-duty truck. After 100 trips by April, Ikea reported a 16% reduction in costs as a result of the switch.
Ashok Leyland, the flagship of the Hinduja Group, is also pursuing a multi-fuel strategy. The company claims to have the world’s largest fleet of hydrogen trucks running with a customer on a pilot basis. It has made significant strides in electric mobility too. The Boss EV truck with a 14-19 tonne payload was introduced last year and a 55-tonne electric tractor-trailer has been recently launched. Ashok Leyland also showcased the country’s first electric port terminal tractor at the Auto Expo, which is expected to go commercial within a year.
While admitting to a slower start in LNG, Ashok Leyland managing director and CEO Shenu Agarwal said the company is catching up. “There will be some launches in the LNG segment this year,” he said during an earnings call in May.