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The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) has launched India’s first fleet of electric heavy trucks equipped with swappable battery technology, marking a significant milestone in the country’s port logistics sector. Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal flagged off the fleet of 50 trucks at the Nhava Sheva Distribution Terminal, making JNPA the largest operator of electric truck fleets among Indian ports.
The ceremony was attended by R. Lakshmanan, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, and Unmesh Sharad Wagh, Chairperson of JNPA. The port authority announced plans to expand the fleet to 80 trucks by the end of this year and convert nearly 600 trucks—about 90% of its internal fleet—to electric by December 2026. A dedicated heavy-duty battery swapping station was also inaugurated to support operations.
This initiative aligns with India’s sustainability goals, including the country’s net-zero 2070 commitment and the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan. Speaking at the event, Sonowal said, “As JNPA takes this decisive step towards electrifying its logistics fleet, it sends a message that India’s ports are ready to embrace the future and set new benchmarks in sustainability, efficiency, and innovation.”
On the occasion, JNPA also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Isaac Centre for Public Policy at Ashoka University, Delhi, to create a reference framework for determining tariffs across various cargo categories based on cost and port benchmarking.
Chairperson Wagh described the launch as “a paradigmatic leap towards a cleaner, greener, and more resilient future for port operations.” The deployment of electric trucks is expected to reduce emissions, pollution, and noise levels within the port ecosystem, while also setting a benchmark for other ports across India.
The initiative is part of the Government of India’s Maritime India Vision 2030 and National Logistics Policy. Recently, JNPA was ranked among the world’s top 25 ports in the World Bank’s Container Port Performance Index and has achieved record-breaking milestones in container handling. The port authority is also driving projects in SEZs, digitalization, and green energy as part of its broader sustainability strategy.
