5 States To Account For 70% of India’s E-Truck Charging Demand by 2030: ICCT

India will need a 9 GW charging network to support 1.3 lakh electric trucks by 2030, with demand concentrated in just five states—Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh—according to a new study by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT).

The report, Charging Infrastructure Needed to Support India’s Full Transition to Battery Electric Trucks by 2050, was launched at the India Clean Transportation Summit (ICTS) 2025 in New Delhi by Dr. Hanif Qureshi, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Heavy Industries, along with ICCT leadership and representatives from Norway’s Embassy and the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).

Demand clustered along freight corridors

ICCT estimates that the 9 GW requirement by 2030—equivalent to five times Delhi’s current generation capacity—will be driven largely by freight movement along the Golden Quadrilateral, Delhi–Mumbai Industrial Corridor and the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor. Together, the five states will account for more than 70% of national demand, making them priority hubs for early planning and investment.

India has committed to 100% zero-emission truck sales by 2050 under its net-zero pledge. The report notes that while technology readiness is improving, infrastructure bottlenecks remain.Fuel efficiency regulations, the PM e-DRIVE scheme, and incentives for high-power chargers are expected to support adoption, but state-level interventions on land, tariffs and grid capacity will be critical.

Policy roadmap

The study outlines four policy priorities:

• Develop national and state-level charging infrastructure roadmaps

• Coordinate grid planning for high-capacity charging

• Bridge trucking data gaps through modern tracking systems

• Integrate e-truck charging into freight and logistics planning

Stakeholder voices

“Manufacturing is fast emerging as a strength of India’s automotive sector, especially in batteries,” said Dr. Qureshi. “The ministry is committed to enabling this transition through policy support, incentives and ecosystem strengthening.”

Amit Bhatt, India MD, ICCT, added: “Without reliable charging along freight corridors, adoption of e-trucks will face unnecessary hurdles. Getting infrastructure right today ensures a faster, cost-effective shift to clean freight.”

Drew Kodjak, President & CEO, ICCT, said electric trucks already make up 2% of global sales with over 400 models available. “India has the opportunity to leapfrog and position itself as a frontrunner in clean freight.”

Arvinn Gadgil, Deputy Head of Mission, Norwegian Embassy, remarked: “If India achieves this breakthrough, it could become a recipe for saving humanity.”