In India, freight transport — especially heavy and medium-duty trucks — contributes disproportionately to the country’s greenhouse gas emissions. Although trucks make up just about 3% of all vehicles on the roads, they are responsible for a significant share of transport emissions, including carbon and particulate pollutants that accelerate climate change. According to a new report by the Smart Freight Centre (SFC) India, TERI and IIM-Bangalore, freight demand in India is expected to nearly triple by 2030–31, while emissions from road freight could rise sharply as well — a troubling trend for climate targets and environmental health. Without strategic action, freight emissions will continue to escalate, undermining efforts to mitigate global warming and improve air quality. Why Freight Emissions Matter More Than They Appear The core issue lies in how freight moves across the country. Road freight — dominated by diesel-powered heavy trucks — currently accounts for the majority of logistics transport. As India’s economy expands, infrastructure projects, e-commerce growth and industrial output are driving higher consumption of freight transport services. Without clean alternatives, this results in a disproportionate rise in emissions even though trucks are a small share of the total vehicle fleet. This rising emissions trend not only… Read MoreBusiness Archives – Trak.in – Indian Business of Tech, Mobile & Startups
