NITI Aayog launched two significant platforms to accelerate India's transition to electric mobility in the freight sector. Shri Rajiv Gauba, Member of NITI Aayog, launched the Platform for Aggregating Clean Transport (PACT) and the Zero Emission Truck (ZET) Marketplace during his inaugural address at the 5th E-Fast India Summit 2026 on September 7, 2026.
Gauba emphasized that transitioning to electric mobility represents an economic, environmental, and strategic imperative essential for achieving India's global commitment of Net Zero by 2070 and realizing the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047. He highlighted that accelerating electric vehicle adoption is vital for the nation's energy security and improving citizens' quality of living.
The address noted significant progress through government initiatives including Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes for Automobiles and Advanced Chemistry Cells, expansion of public charging infrastructure through investments by Oil Marketing Companies, and demand-side schemes such as FAME, PM e-DRIVE, PARIVARTAN, and PM e-Bus Sewa, which have collectively supported rising EV sales.
Regarding the heavy-duty commercial sector, Gauba revealed critical data points: heavy trucks represent only 3-4% of India's vehicle fleet but contribute over one-third of transport-sector carbon emissions. Only around 800 heavy-duty electric trucks were sold in 2025, despite the fact that 70% of India's freight moves by road. He identified three key constraints holding back market adoption: structural fragmentation among logistics operators, high financing costs, and the absence of coordinated corridor planning.
The newly launched PACT and ZET Marketplace are specifically designed to address these gaps through demand aggregation, financing innovation, and corridor-based projectization. Gauba called for blended finance mechanisms, leasing models, and stronger data systems to bring the cost of capital for electric trucks closer to diesel equivalents. He urged logistics providers, manufacturers, charge point operators, and financiers to engage with the platform in shaping corridors, financing instruments, and commercial models for electric freight in India.