In an advisory on “Bharat Zero Emission Trucking,” or ZET, the office of the Government of India’s Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) has suggested, among other things, a zero-toll system for all trucks bearing green license plates.
The Principal Scientific Advisor (PSA) organizes across scientific divisions, supports research programs, and offers scientific advice to the country’s authorities. The PSA advances technical advancement in India, promotes international cooperation, and aids in the identification of emerging innovations.
In addition to offering over thirty recommendations—among them the creation of toll-free highways for these zero-emission trucks—the most recent report also set aside a period of twelve to fourteen months for the government to implement the draft regulations.
The Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) office of the Government of India has recommended a zero-toll system for all trucks with green license plates in an advisory on “Bharat Zero Emission Trucking,” or ZET.
The Principal Scientific Advisor (PSA) collaborates across scientific fields, funds research initiatives, and provides the nation’s decision-makers with scientific guidance. The PSA helps identify new technologies, fosters international cooperation, and boosts technological growth in India.
The latest study provided more than thirty recommendations, including the establishment of toll-free highways for these zero-emission trucks. It also stipulated that the government would have twelve to fourteen months to put the draft laws into effect.
The Ministry of Heavy Industries, designated as the nodal ministry to promote and facilitate EV adoption, has been tasked with paving the way for such green corridors under the ZET policy document.
“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 document.
According to the policy document, ZET demand incentives can be structured in a variety of ways to meet market demands. For example, implementing incentives based on performance parameters such as battery capacity, range, and energy consumption can improve product quality and promote efficient market development. Incentives can also be routed through public sector undertakings (PSUs), which are specifically designed for government-controlled/owned fleets, based on identified qualifying criteria.
“This can help them use their capacity to aggregate assets such as trucks, land, and charging infrastructure.”
The ZET advisory also states that going forward, “a careful phasing out of incentives should be planned to not disrupt the demand-supply cycle.”
According to the ZET policy document, toll costs account for a significant portion of trucking companies’ operational expenses (OPEX), ranking third among major 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 of the Government of India, including senior officials from the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of 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 the 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 vehicles exempt from toll charges on highways under the “exempt from paying user fee” category.
Ajay Kumar Sood commented on the advisory note, emphasizing the importance of Zero Emission Trucks (ZET) for both decarbonization and energy security, stating, “The introduction and widespread adoption of ZETs require technical expertise and systematic policy interventions to create an enabling techno-socio-economic ecosystem in India.”