Centre Seeks Industry Collaboration to Fast Track Electric CV Rollout

Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy chaired a high level stakeholder consultation in New Delhi to discuss strategies for accelerating the adoption of electric buses and electric trucks across the country. The meeting aimed to establish a collaborative approach between the government and private sector entities to facilitate the large scale rollout of zero emission heavy commercial vehicles.

The consultation included participation from various segments of the electric mobility ecosystem, including fleet operators, transport aggregators, leasing companies, and financial institutions. Senior government officials, including Heavy Industries Secretary Kamran Rizvi and Additional Secretary Hanif Qureshi, were present to discuss the future policy roadmap for the sector and gather direct feedback from industry participants.

Discussions during the session focused on the operational realities and challenges facing the commercial electric vehicle segment. Industry representatives shared concerns regarding access to capital for vehicle financing, the deployment of robust charging infrastructure, and the overall operational viability required to sustain electric fleets on intercity and national freight routes.

Addressing the stakeholders, Kumaraswamy stated that electric buses are positioned to become the backbone of domestic passenger transportation, while electric trucks will fundamentally alter the logistics and freight transport sectors. He emphasized that government policy must remain aligned with the practical experiences of transport operators on the ground to ensure that the transition to electric mobility is inclusive and commercially sustainable for the industry.