Ashok Leyland and the Centre of Excellence for Zero Emission Trucking (CoEZET) at IIT Madras have launched the ‘GET ZET – Electric Truck Awareness to Acceptance’ initiative, a 40-city demonstration drive aimed at increasing awareness and acceptance of battery electric trucks.
The initiative began in Chennai on September 29, 2026, and will run through February 2027 across logistics hubs and industrial corridors in 14 states and the National Capital Territory of Delhi. The programme will bring together fleet owners, logistics operators, financiers, load providers, infrastructure partners, policymakers and industry experts.
The events will include demonstrations of Ashok Leyland’s electric mobility solutions. The company’s BOSS Electric truck, along with its charger setup, will be showcased to give participants an opportunity to experience the vehicle and associated charging infrastructure.
Ashok Leyland, IIT Madras To Cover 40 Cities
The programme will cover Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. The events are intended to address the opportunities and challenges associated with the transition to zero-emission commercial transportation.
Participants will be able to gain first-hand exposure to electric commercial vehicles and the wider zero-emission transportation ecosystem through awareness sessions and demonstrations.
Ashok Leyland MD and CEO Shenu Agarwal said the initiative is intended to build user confidence by bringing electric truck technology closer to customers and other stakeholders. He added that the 40-city programme will allow participants to experience the technology in real-world settings.
CoEZET Focuses On Battery Electric Truck Acceptance
According to Prof. Manu Santhanam, Dean (ICSR), IIT Madras, CoEZET has been working on zero-emission truck adoption since 2022, covering areas including policy, technology, skilling and outreach. The current initiative builds on earlier awareness activities and focuses on allowing stakeholders to experience and evaluate battery electric trucks.
The programme will also include hands-on trial rides intended to address driver concerns and provide direct experience of electric trucks. CoEZET said these interactions are aimed at building greater acceptance among the trucking community.