CARGOCONNECT-APRIL2025 - Flipbook - Page 18
COVER STORY : GREEN LOGISTICS
ndia is at a crucial juncture in its fight
against climate change, steering its
transport systems towards a sustainable
future. With one of the world’s fastestgrowing economies, the nation faces the
dual challenge of balancing its development aspirations with the need to mitigate
environmental impact.
The transportation sector is one of
India’s largest contributors to greenhouse
gas emissions, accounting for approximately
13% of the country’s carbon emissions.
Rapid urbanisation and increased vehicle
ownership exacerbate the strain on both
the environment and existing infrastructure. Electric Vehicles (EVs), improved rail
networks, and a shift towards multimodal
transportation are poised to revolutionise
the sector.
The government has acknowledged this
urgency, pushing forward bold initiatives
to tackle emission challenges while setting
the stage for an inclusive, environmentally
sound mobility framework.
In 2024 alone, more than
1.4 million EVs were sold
nationwide, marking a
penetration rate of
5.59%—an increase from
4.44% in 2023. This surge
is indicative of growing
public confidence,
bolstered by government
subsidies such as the
Faster Adoption and
Manufacturing of Hybrid
and Electric Vehicles
(FAME) scheme.
18 | CARGOCONNECT APRIL 2025
EV Adoption
Gains
Momentum
The EV market in India
has demonstrated remarkable progress in recent
years, laying the groundwork for a greener future.
In 2024 alone, more than
1.4 million EVs were sold
nationwide, marking a
penetration rate of 5.59%—
an increase from 4.44%
in 2023. This surge is
indicative of growing public con昀椀dence, bolstered
by government subsidies
such as the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing
of Hybrid and Electric
Vehicles (FAME) scheme.
The burgeoning EV market spans two-wheelers,
passenger cars, and electric buses. Interestingly,
two-wheelers account for the majority of EV sales,
underscoring their popularity as a昀昀ordable, e昀케cient
urban transport options. Industry stakeholders expect
this trend to strengthen further with the rising a昀昀ordability of EV models, advances in battery technology,
and improved charging infrastructure.
Critical to this EV revolution is the supporting
infrastructure for recharging vehicles. By 2024, India
had established over 25,200 public charging stations—a
signi昀椀cant leap in just a few years. Karnataka leads
with 5,765 stations, followed by Maharashtra and Uttar
Pradesh, together accounting for 60% of installations.
Recognising charging convenience as a crucial
enabler, automakers like Maruti Suzuki and Tata Motors
have undertaken targeted investments to improve
accessibility. Maruti Suzuki plans to install fast-charging
stations every 5 to 10 kilometres across India’s top 100
cities, catering speci昀椀cally to urban EV users. Meanwhile,
Tata Power’s expansion of its EV charging network
further assures EV adopters.
Battery-swapping technology, now gaining traction,
is emerging as a practical alternative to 昀椀xed charging
systems. Startups and energy solution providers are
testing this technology to address long wait times and
eliminate range anxiety.
Dinesh Pawar, Supply and Distribution Manager
at Sandoz, highlights the growing adoption of EVs
in logistics. “For instance, you will now see EVs or
LNG-powered vehicles, which have up to 70% lower
carbon emissions. Electric trucks with capacities ranging
from 40 tons to 70 tons have already been approved
by authorities in Pune and are operational. While the
numbers are still small, and scaling up is taking time,
the progress is undeniable,” he says.
Pawar also emphasises the potential of EVs for
internal operations and local distribution. “For internal
operations, using EVs within manufacturing premises
is an ideal solution. They are well-suited for shortdistance movements or smaller vehicles for tasks such
as internal material handling. Additionally, for local
distribution, especially within Designated Delivery Duty
Areas (DDUs), EVs can be e昀昀ectively utilised. These
vehicles are particularly useful for limited-distance
and temperature-sensitive deliveries,” he adds.
