The SCALE initiative aims to deploy 500 electric trucks in three years, bringing together industry leaders, logistics providers, and policymakers to cut emissions and reduce freight costs.
In a major step towards decarbonizing India’s freight sector, INTENT has announced the launch of the SCALE Coalition—a first-of-its-kind initiative to drive large-scale adoption of heavy-duty electric trucks in the country.
The coalition aims to aggregate demand from some of India’s largest corporate emitters and logistics players, enabling an industry-wide transition from diesel-powered fleets to electric trucks. By pooling demand and fostering collaboration, SCALE seeks to unlock economies of scale, reduce costs, and accelerate India’s shift toward zero-emission logistics.
Backed by design principles inspired by India’s successful electric bus program, SCALE targets the deployment of 500 electric trucks over the next three years, beginning with an initial roll-out of 50 units. The initiative will be implemented through partnerships with logistics service providers, truck manufacturers, charge point operators, financiers, and think tanks to strengthen the overall ecosystem.
Highlighting the importance of the initiative, Shri Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highways, said:
“Heavy-duty freight is critical to our economy, but it is also a major contributor to emissions. By uniting industry leaders around the adoption of electric trucks, SCALE will help companies transition to cleaner, more efficient mobility while supporting India’s vision for sustainable transport.”
Mahua Acharya, CEO of INTENT, expressed gratitude to industry partners and stakeholders, noting the resemblance of SCALE’s approach to India’s earlier success with electric buses. She emphasized that the coalition will play a key role in advancing collaboration between government, corporates, and innovators to make freight greener and more cost-effective.
According to industry data, trucking accounts for 40% of India’s transport-related emissions and consumes nearly 64% of the country’s diesel, while contributing around 16% to national GDP. With emissions projected to rise for the next 25 years amid strong economic growth, the transition to electric trucks presents a crucial opportunity to curb carbon output, lower fuel costs, and strengthen logistics competitiveness.
By catalyzing large-scale adoption of clean transport solutions, SCALE positions India to emerge as a global leader in sustainable freight mobility and supports the country’s broader climate and energy transition goals.