In a major move to advance sustainable logistics, the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) has launched India's first fleet of heavy-duty electric trucks with swappable batteries.

The initiative, flagged off by Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW), Sarbananda Sonowal, establishes JNPA as the country's port with the largest electric vehicle truck fleet. The launch event also included the commissioning of a heavy-duty battery swapping station and a significant signing ceremony.

The induction of these state-of-the-art EV trucks marks a pivotal step in JNPA's efforts to reduce its carbon footprint. The port authority has set an ambitious goal to convert 90 percent of its internal fleet of approximately 600 heavy trucks to electric power by December 2026. The initial rollout includes 50 trucks, with plans to expand the fleet to 80 by the end of the year.

During the event, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between JNPA and the Isaac Centre for Public Policy (ICPP) at Ashoka University, Delhi. This collaboration aims to create a standardised framework for port authorities to determine tariffs, using both cost and port benchmarking for various cargo types.

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal emphasised the wider impact of the initiative. "When JNPA takes a decisive step in electrifying its fleet of logistics vehicles, it sends a message that India's ports are ready to embrace the future, ready to pioneer practices that will set benchmarks for sustainability, efficiency, and innovation," he stated. Sonowal also noted JNPA's consistent achievements, including its recent ranking among the top 25 global ports in the World Bank's Container Port Performance Index (CPPI).

Unmesh Sharad Wagh, Chairperson of JNPA, and CMD, VPLL, highlighted the initiative as a ‘paradigmatic leap’ toward a cleaner, greener future for port operations. "As custodians of India's largest container port, it is incumbent upon us to embrace innovation that reconciles economic dynamism with ecological responsibility," he said.

This project is a key component of India's broader logistics transformation, aligning with the PM Gati Shakti initiative and the National Logistics Policy (NLP). By deploying these EV trucks, JNPA is:

• Demonstrating alignment with India's national energy transition goals, particularly the commitment to achieve a net-zero target by 2070.
• Supporting the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) by showcasing a commercial-scale adoption of EVs in a high-throughput logistics environment.
• Reducing emissions, particulate pollution, and noise within the port.
• Establishing a model for other major and non-major ports in India to follow.

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  - Nandan Bhojraj September 26, 2025 15:38 PM

  Heartiest congratulations to Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW), Sarbananda Sonowal and Unmesh Sharad Wagh, Chairperson of JNPA, and CMD, VPLL for a environment saving Initiative! Heartiest congratulations to EIM - Energy in Motion- a great EV trucks company with Swappable batteries! EIM is India's most efficient and latest technology battery swappable truck company! Nandan Bhojraj BE MBA

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IVECO BUS, a brand of Iveco Group, is participating in the EU–Regional Business Forum – West Africa Corridors (CALAO) in Abidjan from 30 March to 1 April 2026. The company is showcasing its transport solutions and expanding its industrial footprint across Africa, where it currently operates in 40 countries.

The company has maintained a 40-year partnership with the Abidjan Transport Company (SOTRA). In January 2022, IVECO BUS established a Daily minibus assembly line in Koumassi, Côte d’Ivoire, making it the first African nation to host such a facility.

The recent fleet deliveries include 300 CROSSWAY LE buses and 50 EVADYS coaches delivered to SOTRA in Côte d'Ivoire (2025), bringing the total IVECO BUS fleet in the country to over 1,450 units. Furthermore, 370 CROSSWAY buses were delivered to Senegal in 2024 to reinforce the DAKAR DEM DIKK fleet.

At present, the OEM offers a multi-energy range including biofuels, natural gas, electric and fuel cell technologies.

• CROSSWAY: An intercity and school transport vehicle with over 70,000 units produced. It features the IVECO CURSOR Euro III engine and cataphoresis protection for durability in diverse climates.
• DAILY Minibus: A 17-passenger vehicle powered by a 146 hp Euro III engine, configured for shuttle and school missions.
• CREALIS BRT: A Bus Rapid Transit solution. Abidjan currently operates 100 18-metre CREALIS CNG (natural gas) units. The model is available in 12- and 18-metre versions with various alternative powertrains.
• E-WAY: A battery-electric range available in four lengths (9.5 m to 18 m). These vehicles utilize 69 kWh NMC batteries and support both depot and opportunity charging.

IVECO BUS provides a service ecosystem that includes technical training and the availability of genuine spare parts for up to 15 years post-production. The brand also implements knowledge transfer programmes to facilitate independent fleet management and local industrial localisation.

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Switch Mobility presented its range of electric sanitation solutions at the Municipalika 2026 conference in New Delhi. The company introduced purpose-built electric vehicles designed for waste collection and street cleaning to support municipal transitions toward zero-emission urban operations.

The IeV3 Garbage Tipper is a factory-fitted electric vehicle designed for urban waste management. It features a closed body with integrated partitions for wet and dry waste and a customisable tipping angle for discharge.

It is available in 2.5, 3, and 3.5 cubic metre configurations. Supports up to 900 kg with the tipper and 1,250 kg in fixed side deck (FSD) format. It comes equipped with a 25.6 kWh lithium-ion battery and a permanent magnet synchronous motor, which delivers a claimed real-world range of 140 km and a top speed of 70 kmph, with a gradeability of 22 percent. A 300V architecture allows charging to 80 percent in approximately 55 minutes.

On the other hand, the IeV4 Electric Road Sweeper is engineered for dust control and debris collection on urban roads, highways and airports. The vehicle utilises a 6-inch vacuum suction system and vacuum-operated brushes to reduce airborne particulate matter.

It comes with a 2.0 cubic metre waste tank and a 500-litre water tank for dust suppression. Features a 1.5-metre dumping height to facilitate waste handling. A compact footprint and quiet electric drivetrain allow for operation in residential and commercial zones with minimal noise disruption.

The transition to electric municipal fleets is intended to reduce fuel dependency and maintenance requirements compared to internal combustion engine vehicles. Both the IeV3 and IeV4 incorporate telematics solutions for real-time fleet monitoring and utilization tracking. These vehicles are designed to navigate narrow city lanes while providing zero-emission performance in densely populated areas.

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Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation has appointed Franziska Cusumano as the new President and Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 April 2026. The appointment follows approval by the company’s board of directors and general shareholders’ meeting.

Cusumano joins the Kawasaki-based CV maker from Daimler Truck, where she served as Chief Executive of Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks. She succeeds Karl Deppen, who currently serves as the President and CEO.

The leadership change is accompanied by two additional board appointments effective on the same date:

• Tatsuya Nomura: Currently Officer of Management Integration at Hino Motors, Nomura will join the board as Director.
• Hironobu Ando: Appointed as Director while maintaining his position as Senior Vice President and Head of Product Engineering.

These director appointments are contingent upon the closing of the business integration agreement between Fuso and Hino Motors. This agreement was originally signed in June 2025 and subsequently amended. The appointments will formally take effect once the closing conditions specified in the agreement are fulfilled.

The transition occurs as the company continues to align its operations under the framework of the Hino Motors integration. The new leadership team is expected to manage the combined engineering and management integration workstreams resulting from the 2025 agreement.

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Eicher Trucks & Buses, a unit of VE Commercial Vehicles Ltd (VECV), has inaugurated a dedicated dealership for its Eicher Pro X small truck range in Faridabad. Operated by Shree Motors, the 12,000 sqft 3S facility integrates sales, service and spares under one roof.

The facility situated on NH-19 (Delhi–Mathura–Agra corridor) provides access to fleet operators in Northern India's industrial and logistics hubs. The dealership is part of Eicher's ‘born-digital’ network, featuring an omni-channel retail model. Interactive digital displays and a dedicated customisation zone allow customers to configure vehicles according to specific requirements:

• Technical Specifications: Load deck options and cargo body requirements.
• Fuel and Aesthetics: Choice of fuel types and exterior colours.
• Connectivity: Access to Eicher’s 100 percent connected vehicle data and uptime support.

The infrastructure is designed to support last-mile logistics by focusing on vehicle uptime through trained technicians and advanced diagnostic tools.

Ramesh Rajagopalan, EVP, Customer Service, Retail Excellence and Network Development, VECV, said, “Faridabad holds strategic importance as a prominent industrial and logistics hub in North India, supporting diverse sectors such as e-commerce, parcel and courier services, FMCG distribution, and industrial goods movement. With the addition of Shree Motors Private Limited’s exclusive Eicher Pro X dealership, we are strengthening our footprint in the region while enhancing our capability to serve businesses that depend on efficient last-mile transportation. We are delighted to onboard the Shree Motors team into the Eicher Pro X network and remain committed to delivering intelligent, connected, and customer-focused mobility solutions to our customers across Faridabad and nearby markets.”

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