In this myth buster series, we look at some common misconceptions around electric trucks.
Trucks carrying medium and heavy loads are the wheels that keep India’s freight running smoothly. They are responsible for moving over 65% of the country’s freight and serve as the backbone of the logistics industry by delivering goods across diverse terrains and distances. However, most medium- and heavy-duty trucks (MHDTs) in India are diesel-powered. This is a major environmental challenge as MHDTs contribute to over 40% of the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of the transport sector.
Electric MHDTs (eMHDTs) or electric trucks are a viable alternative. The government has launched the PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) Scheme, which, for the first time, has made provisions for increasing electric truck adoption. Even as eMHDTs hold promise, a persistent myth is that they have higher carbon emissions than internal combustion engine (ICE) (such as diesel-powered) vehicles. This misconception fails to account for progress in eMHDT technology, India’s transition to renewables and the well-to-wheel emissions framework.
Understanding emissions:
Well-to-wheel emissions track the total GHG emissions throughout a fuel’s lifecycle, from production to use. This is distinct from tank-to-wheel emissions, which only consider the emissions produced while a vehicle is operating. In tank-to-wheel assessments, battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are seen as having zero operational emissions, making them more environmentally friendly than diesel trucks. ICE MHDTs emit primary pollutants like nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides (SOx), and particulate matter. On the other hand, eMHDTs produce zero tailpipe emissions, making them a cleaner alternative.
As per the Emerging Freight: Policy Toolkit for Medium and Heavy Duty Truck Electrification in India by NRDC India, trucks and buses comprised around 70% of all NOx and PM2.5 emissions from road transport in India in 2021, with the road transport sector emitting 2.6 Mt of NOx, or roughly one-third of the country's total NOx emissions. By 2050, widespread adoption of zero emission trucks could reduce truck-related particulate matter and NOx pollution by around 40%.
Well-to-wheel evaluations provide a fuller picture. Diesel fuel production and transportation to power ICE MHDTs also release GHGs such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane. While such MHDTs constitute only 3% of the on-road vehicle fleet in India, they contribute 44% of the well-to-wheel CO2 emissions from road transport (according to the ICCT report, Total Cost of Ownership parity between battery electric trucks and diesel trucks in India). EMHDTs rely on batteries, which are powered by electricity generated from fossil fuels. But this is changing fast.
The role of electricity grids:
The electricity grid is important in the emissions profile of eMHDTs. If the energy source used for charging is ecofriendly, it automatically reduces the overall emissions level of the vehicle. By 2023, India had installed over 167 GW of renewable energy capacity. India’s target is 500 GW by 2030. The transition to renewables in the grid will ensure that the electricity sourced to power trucks will be cleaner.
Beyond tailpipe emissions:
EMHDTs offer considerable benefits beyond their zero tailpipe emissions as well. At the current average grid emissions intensity for India, battery reliant electric trucks reduce the GHG intensity of freight by 9%- 35% across different classes of trucks when compared to diesel. They contribute lesser to air pollution along highways and congested areas (International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT report, Total cost of ownership parity between battery electric trucks and diesel trucks in India). EMHDT adoption can also avoid 838 billion litres of diesel consumption cumulatively by 2050, resulting in more than US$1.5 trillion of reduced oil expenditures.
Electric motors generally require less maintenance due to fewer moving parts and no oil changes. This can make the potential maintenance cost savings of up to 40% compared to internal combustion engines (ICCT report, Total cost of ownership parity between battery electric trucks and diesel trucks in India).
Another measure - the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) - is important to consider. TCO is the aggregate of all costs associated with buying and running a vehicle, including purchasing price, operating costs (fuel/electricity), maintenance and other operational expenses over its lifespan. According to the ICCT, eMHDTs are expected to reach TCO parity with diesel trucks within the next five years. This is because batteries are becoming cheaper and energy efficiency is increasing (ICCT report, Total cost of ownership parity between battery electric trucks and diesel trucks in India).
These factors collectively make eMHDTs a compelling alternative to diesel trucks.
Curious to know more? Take a look at our work on electric trucks here.