Electrify Your Fleet: Government Offers Up to Rs 19 Lakh for E-Trucks

In a first-of-its-kind effort to decarbonise freight movement, the government has announced subsidies worth up to ₹19 lakh on electric trucks under the PM E-Drive Scheme. The idea is to overcome the cost differential between e-trucks and their diesel equivalent so that greener freight options are within reach. With ₹500 crore set aside for the initiative, the scheme will help as many as 5,000 e-trucks in different weight categories.

The subsidy framework offers two models: ₹5,000 per kWh with a 10% ceiling on the vehicle price or ₹7,500 per kWh with a 15% ceiling. Lighter trucks with 4.8 kWh batteries might be eligible for up to ₹3.5 lakh, while the heavier 55-tonne models might get subsidies of up to ₹12.5 lakh. This initiative takes care of the high cost gap, as electric trucks are costing almost twice their diesel counterparts.

Players such as Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland will benefit from improved demand, with industries like logistics and steel being consulted to work out implementation strategies. Targeting medium and heavy-duty trucks, this subsidy program is a major move towards sustainable transport in India.

Source: Financial Express