JNPA Launches India’s First Electric Heavy Truck Fleet with Swappable Batteries

The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) has launched India’s first fleet of electric heavy trucks with swappable battery technology at the Nhava Sheva Distribution Terminal, marking a major milestone in the nation’s maritime logistics transformation.

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, flagged off the inaugural fleet of 50 electric trucks, making JNPA the largest operator of such vehicles among Indian ports. The event was attended by senior officials, including R. Lakshmanan, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, and JNPA Chairperson Unmesh Sharad Wagh.

The initiative includes plans to expand the fleet to 80 trucks by year-end, with a target of converting nearly 90% of the port’s heavy truck fleet—about 600 vehicles—into electric by December 2026. To support this transformation, a dedicated heavy-duty battery swapping station was also commissioned.

Sonowal hailed the development, saying, “When JNPA electrifies its logistics fleet, it sets a benchmark for sustainability, efficiency, and innovation, proving India’s ports are ready for the future.”

The deployment aligns with India’s broader sustainability roadmap, including the net-zero commitment by 2070, the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan, and the PM Gati Shakti initiative. It also contributes to the Green Ports initiative under the Government of India’s Maritime India Vision 2030.

To strengthen its policy framework, JNPA also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Isaac Centre for Public Policy at Ashoka University. This partnership aims to create a reference model for tariff benchmarking across various cargo types.

The move is expected to reduce emissions, particulate pollution, and noise levels in the port ecosystem while setting an example for other major and non-major ports. With this launch, JNPA continues to reinforce its position as a leader in sustainable and innovative port operations.