Government Proposes Zero-Toll for Zero-Emission Trucks

Key Highlights:

• PSA's advisory proposes toll-free highways for zero-emission trucks (ZETs) with green plates.
• It sets a 12-14 month timeline to turn draft norms into policy, aiming to cut oil imports and logistics costs.
• ZET adoption could save 838 billion liters of diesel and ₹108 lakh crores by 2050.
• The Ministry of Heavy Industries will lead efforts to create green corridors and support ZETs with subsidies.
• ZETs may be allowed to carry 4 extra tonnes due to their lower payload capacity.

The Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) office of the Government of India issued an advisory on "Bharat Zero Emission Trucking" or ZET. This proposal includes a zero-toll policy for trucks with green number plates, alongside various other incentives. This proposal is part of a broader initiative to encourage the adoption of zero-emission or electric trucks in India.

Adopting zero-emission trucks (ZETs), including battery-electric trucks (BETs) and fuel-cell-electric trucks (FCETs), may save 838 billion liters of diesel by 2050, saving over ₹108 lakh crores in oil prices, according to the report.

The Principal Scientific Advisor (PSA) gives scientific advice to the nation's leaders, coordinates across scientific departments, and supports research initiatives. The PSA facilitates the identification of emerging technologies, promotes international cooperation, and contributes to India's technical growth.

The most recent report has made over 30 recommendations, including toll-free highways for zero-emission trucks, and has set a 12-14 month timeline for the draft norms to be implemented into government policy.

The draft document focuses on zero-emission electric trucks and asserts that electrifying road transport has two advantages: it reduces reliance on foreign oil imports and lowers total logistical costs.

Policy Framework and Incentives

The Bharat ZET Policy Advisory document divides interventions into five categories: incentives, laws, infrastructure, business and finance, and stakeholder-focused activities.

Ministry of Heavy Industries has been designated as the nodal ministry to promote and support EV adoption. According to the ZET policy document, the Ministry of Heavy Industries is responsible for preparing the way for such green corridors.

"The office of the PSA of GOI has recommended that the Ministry of Heavy Industries, which is the nodal agency, conduct a holistic study of global ZET demand incentive examples to develop a comprehensive understanding of ZET vehicle costs compared to ICE truck costs, which could then become part of the proposed FAME3 subsidy scheme," according to the policy summary.

According to the policy document, ZET demand incentives can be designed in a variety of ways to fulfill market demands. For example, establishing incentives based on performance characteristics like as battery capacity, range, and energy consumption can help to improve product quality and encourage efficient market growth.

Incentives can also be channeled through public sector undertakings (PSUs), which are specifically established for government-controlled/owned fleets based on predetermined qualification criteria.

According to the ZET guideline, "a careful phasing out of incentives should be planned in the future to not disrupt the demand-supply cycle."

According to the ZET policy document, toll costs make up a large share of trucking businesses' operational expenses (OPEX), ranking third among main expenses incurred. "Incentivizing LSPs through toll exemptions for ZETs can encourage them to use more electric trucks," the policy document states.

Over the next year, various stakeholders in the Indian government, including senior officials from the Ministries of Finance and Road Transport and Highways, original equipment manufacturers, logistics service providers (LSPs), and small fleet owners and truck drivers, will discuss how to implement the zero-toll proposal.

To carry out this proposal, one of the primary deliverables identified by GOI experts is the modification of Rule 11 of the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008, to include ZET trucks in the list of vehicles exempt from toll charges on highways under the "exempt from paying user fee" category.

PSA Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood commented on the advisory note, emphasizing the importance of Zero Emission Trucks (ZET) for both decarbonization and energy security, saying, "The introduction and widespread adoption of ZETs require technical expertise and systematic policy interventions to create an enabling techno-socio-economic ecosystem in India."

Battery Standards

Other efforts in the PSA GOI office's 30-point plan include establishing interoperable standards for batteries that will be used in these zero-emission or electric trucks.

"As the technology and ecosystem evolve, battery standardization can pave the way for efficient battery swapping in ZETs," according to the recommendation.

According to the government officials who conducted the ZET study, standardization for interoperability means ensuring consistency in connectors and communication protocols between EVs.

Another significant criticism expressed by this highly empowered stakeholder group is that battery electric vehicles and hydrogen-powered trucks have a decreased payload capacity due to the additional weight of their batteries or a hydrogen truck's cylinder. 

As a result, the government recommends allowing such trucks to carry an additional 4 tonnes of weight if they employ ZET trucks for logistics operations rather than ICE-based trucks.

The advisory was developed with contributions from key figures in both the government and private sectors. Notable contributors include Dr. Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary at the Office of PSA; Hanif Qureshi, Additional Secretary (Auto) at the Ministry of Heavy Industries; Sh. Sudhendu Sinha, Adviser on Infrastructure Connectivity & E-Mobility at NITI Aayog; Prof. Shankar Ram from IIT Madras, a member of the Consultative Group on e-Mobility (CGeM); Sh. M. Ravi, Chief of Operations at the Centre of Excellence for Zero Emission Trucking (CoEZET) at IIT Madras; Ms. Sharvari Patki, Program Head for Electric Mobility at the World Resources Institute (WRI); and Ms. Chandana K., Program Associate for Sustainable Cities & Transport at WRI.

Also Read: Tata Motors Expands Electric Vehicle Charging Network

CMV360 Says

The proposal for zero-toll highways for zero-emission trucks is a significant step toward promoting greener transportation in India. If implemented, it could reduce the cost burden on logistics service providers and encourage the adoption of electric trucks, contributing to a more sustainable future. However, the success of this initiative will depend on planning and collaboration among all stakeholders.