Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday said the government may consider exempting electric trucks from toll charges due to their heavier weight from large batteries. These trucks are around two tonnes heavier than their diesel counterparts and end up paying higher tolls based on weight categories. Speaking at an industry roundtable organized by INTENT, Gadkari highlighted technologies like flash-charging that are helping reduce emissions in the transport sector. He emphasized the importance of adopting cost-effective, proven technologies that can lower India’s $20 billion annual fuel import bill. He added that while government support is essential to reduce emissions, it need not always be financial.
Industry leaders at the event urged the government to reduce toll charges for zero-emission trucks, saying it would encourage businesses to adopt electric and hydrogen vehicles. Toll rates in India are based on the truck’s size and its gross vehicle weight (GVW). Overloading beyond GVW is not permitted. Executives also pushed for more high-capacity charging stations, especially along industrial transport routes. With diesel trucks causing about a third of the country’s vehicular CO₂ emissions, decarbonising logistics remains a critical priority.
