Nitin Gadkari Inaugurates Electric Truck Battery Swapping Station in Sonipat

Union Minister of Roads, Transport, and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, inaugurated India’s first commercial electric truck battery swapping and charging station. The facility is located at the Delhi International Cargo Terminal Private Limited (DICT) in Panchi Gujran village on the GT Road near Ganaur in Sonipat.

Speaking at the inauguration, Gadkari highlighted that electric vehicle (EV) trucks will operate without pollution and, from today, will run at a lower cost than rail transport. He added that battery prices have dropped by 50 to 60 percent, bringing India closer to a future free from diesel. “Technology will advance rapidly in the coming years,” he said, underscoring the country’s push toward cleaner transport.

Gadkari also noted that the day is not far when India will produce fuel for ships. Transporters are encouraged to shift away from diesel and petrol to reduce their operational costs. Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy Deve Gowda was present alongside him during the ceremony.

Flexi-Engines: The Next Step to Curb Pollution

On ethanol, Gadkari explained that its production from corn has boosted the market demand for corn. He said companies are now developing flexi-engines, and agricultural machinery will also be equipped with them. “With all these efforts, we have successfully curbed pollution caused by stubble burning,” he added.

He further highlighted that while India is the world’s third-largest economy, logistics costs are still double those of China. To reduce these costs and benefit farmers, the government is promoting biofuels and other alternative fuels.

Currently, projects worth several lakh crores have been completed in Delhi alone. With faster highways, fuel savings are expected. New roads are being constructed using 80 lakh tons of garbage, and logistics costs have already decreased by 6 percent.