India has identified 10 high-impact highway segments where only

zero-emission trucks

(ZETs) will be used for

freight movement

in the near future, as part of the country's broader goal to decarbonise the logistics sector, reduce air pollution, enhance energy security, and achieve the long-term climate target of 'net zero' by 2070.

These priority corridors, list of which was released by the office of the principal scientific adviser (PSA) to the govt early this month, will be used as pilots for early ZET deployment, laying the groundwork for a dedicated national infrastructure network focusing on electric and hydrogen-based fuel technologies across all highways in the country in due course.

Despite comprising only 3per cent of all vehicles, trucks are responsible for more than one-third of transport-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the country. This is particularly concerning given that road transportation accounts for a staggering 71per cent of overall freight movement in India.

According to Niti Aayog estimates, the number of trucks will be increased by more than four times - from four million in 2022 to around 17 million - by 2050. It is, therefore, important to move fast towards ZET deployment for long-term benefits and that's why the office of the PSA has undertaken the initiative to identify the top corridors for initial deployment of such trucks in India.

"These (10) corridors serve not only as the best candidates for ZET pilots, but as blueprints for the future of freight movement," said Ajay K Sood, PSA, in his foreword to the 56-page report on India's priority corridors for Zero-Emission Trucking. He said, "The adoption of ZET in India will play a crucial role in decarbonising the logistics sector, improving public health, enhancing energy independence, and showcasing the country's leadership in the global transition to a net-zero future."

"Establishing ZET corridors can help ensure the use of truck and infrastructure assets, demonstrate ZET operational and financial feasibility, help manage risks and lower costs, and unlock private capital for ZET projects," said the report.

Efforts are already under way to kick-start ZET adoption in India as the central govt has allocated 500 crore for the purchase of such trucks under the Prime Minister Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) scheme.

The top 10 corridors were identified through a three-phase process: quantitative and qualitative assessment of an initial list of 230 corridors using parameters such as toll traffic data and mapping of supply/demand centres, stakeholder consultations and detailed field research.

Other factors such as high freight traffic, industrial activity, availability of ancillary services, grid infrastructure readiness, corridor length relative to battery range, and strategic stakeholder inputs for commercial and business viability were also taken into account while finalising the corridors.