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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Swedish commercial major Volvo Trucks recently won the 2025 Green Truck Award for its Volvo FH Aero model. The win demonstrates the impact of the company's technologies and innovations on fuel efficiency, with the Aero cab and aerodynamic improvements contributing to fuel consumption and CO2 emission reductions.

The company's push for fuel savings includes a new in-house developed stop/start engine feature, which builds on the existing I-See and I-Roll technologies.

The feature works by constantly monitoring road data and road curvature. The engine is temporarily turned off when an oncoming downward slope is identified along the route. When the engine is off, zero fuel is consumed, resulting in no CO2 tailpipe emissions.

The functionality is activated at speeds above 60 kmph. Depending on conditions like topography and ambient temperature, the new I-Roll with Engine stop/start will cut up to 1 percent of fuel and CO2 emissions on top of already achieved savings.

The new feature will be offered on the Volvo FH and FH Aero with the 13-litre diesel engine. Customers can order it from November 2025.

Jan Hjelmgren, Head of Product Management, Volvo Trucks, said, “Our engineers have done it again – innovating a new engine technology that contributes to making transport by truck more fuel-efficient. As part of our decarbonisation strategy, we will continue to innovate to make our combustion engines even better and to reduce our impact on the environment.”

Volvo Trucks’ overall decarbonisation strategy includes combustion engines powered by renewable fuels, battery-electric and fuel-cell electric trucks.

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Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV) has announced that Satyakam Arya, its Managing Director and CEO, has been designated as President and Chief Executive Officer of Hino Motors. The appointment is planned to come into effect from 1 April 2026.

In the new strategic position, Arya will move to Tokyo, Japan to manage Hino Motors’ global operations and transformation. This move marks a significant leadership decision for the planned integration of Daimler Truck and Toyota Motor Corporation’s commercial vehicle subsidiaries, Mitsubishi Fuso and Hino Motors.

Achim Puchert, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler Truck Holding, responsible for Mercedes-Benz Trucks and BharatBenz, said, "Satyakam has been an outstanding leader during his time with us, demonstrating exceptional expertise in commercial vehicle operations and a deep commitment to customer success. His strategic acumen and proven ability to drive transformation position him perfectly for this new leadership role. We wish him all the best in his new role and in the years ahead."

Under Arya’s leadership, DICV is said to have achieved record profitability growth across its truck and bus portfolio while doubling its customer base. The company’s dealership network expanded from 182 to over 385 locations nationwide.

On sustainability, DICV became India's first commercial vehicle manufacturer to switch to 100 percent renewable energy. The company also secured the country's first IGBC Green Factory Building V2 certification. DICV led industry innovation by introducing EU safety standard ECE R29-03 cabin compliance, launching products like TorqShift (AMT) tippers and the HX Series, and navigating a seamless BS VI OBD2 transition.

"India's commercial vehicle industry is entering a transformative decade. With infrastructure investments accelerating and the push toward sustainable mobility gaining momentum, the fundamentals for growth have never been stronger. DICV has built a solid foundation, exceptional leadership, and the momentum to capitalise on these opportunities. I'm confident the team will continue to reach new heights," said Arya.

"Leading Hino Motors is both an honour and an opportunity. I'm excited to contribute to this integration while building on Hino's rich 80-year heritage and creating value for customers across global markets," he added.

Succession planning for Daimler India Commercial Vehicles operations is currently underway, with details to follow in the coming weeks. The appointment reflects the importance of the planned Mitsubishi Fuso – Hino Motors integration. Arya will return to Japan, where he previously spent four years with Daimler Truck Asia, bringing transformation expertise to his new leadership role.

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Ashok Leyland, one of India’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Punjab National Bank (PNB) to provide competitive dealer finance options for its dealers of Medium and Heavy Commercial Vehicles (M&HCVs).

As per the understanding, Punjab National Bank will offer customised financial products to Ashok Leyland dealers to support their working capital and inventory funding needs. The initiative aims to strengthen dealerships by providing easy and flexible access to credit.

The MoU was signed by K M Balaji, Chief Financial Officer, Ashok Leyland and Amitabh Rai, General Manager, Punjab National Bank, in the presence of senior officials from both organisations.

Balaji said, “Ashok Leyland is pleased to partner with Punjab National Bank to offer enhanced financial support to our dealer partners. This collaboration will provide comprehensive financing solutions with flexible and convenient options, helping our dealers manage their business more efficiently. Leveraging PNB’s strong network across the country and competitive pricing, this initiative will further strengthen our reach and enable sustained growth for our dealer ecosystem.”

Madhavi Deshmukh, National Sales Head, Ashok Leyland, said, “This partnership with PNB will make financing more convenient for our dealers, ensuring smooth business operations and better customer service. We look forward to working closely with the bank to create value for our dealer partners.”

Rai added, “We are extremely happy to partner with Ashok Leyland. Through our varied financial solutions, our goal is to offer convenient and complete financing choices to the dealers. We believe that this partnership will meet the business needs of both organizations and create a strong positive impact.”

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Chennai-based commercial vehicle major Ashok Leyland has released its wholesales of 17,820 units for October 2025, reporting a 16 percent rise in total wholesales compared to 15,310 units for the same month last year.

Total domestic sales grew by 16 percent, reaching 16,314 units for the month, compared to 14,067 units in October 2024. This includes Medium and Heavy Commercial Vehicles sales clocking 14 percent growth to 9,611 units. Light Commercial Vehicles (LCV) sales increased by 19 percent YoY, from 5,630 units to 6,703 units.

With this, cumulative wholesales for YTD FY2026 has grown by 6 percent reaching 111,174 units compared to 104,827 units last year.

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