December 2025 Sees High Truck Rentals Nationwide

India’s logistics and mobility sector closed 2025 on a high note, with truck rental rates reaching record levels across major routes, according to the Shriram Mobility Bulletin for December 2025. The report highlights strong freight demand, high vehicle sales, and increased commercial activity nationwide.

Round-trip rents for 18-ton payload trucks surged 12% on the Delhi-Mumbai route and 9% on the Delhi-Kolkata corridor in December. Other major corridors, including Mumbai-Chennai and Kolkata-Guwahati, also recorded double-digit growth in rental rates, signalling sustained demand for goods transportation throughout the country.

The National Capital Region (NCR) experienced a particularly high demand for BS-6-compliant trucks due to Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) regulations that restricted the movement of older, used vehicles. Despite some operational delays caused by fog and snowfall in the upper Himalayan regions, the logistics sector maintained strong activity levels.

Commercial vehicle sales in 2025 were remarkable, with buses, maxi cabs, three-wheelers, and cargo carriers achieving record-breaking annual figures. Sudarshan Holla, Joint Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer (Commercial Vehicles) at Shriram Finance, noted, “The demand for trucks remained high in December, thereby pushing up truck rentals across major trunk routes. GST cuts and lower interest rates have boosted vehicle sales across categories. Manufacturers have announced price increases from January due to higher input costs, which may temporarily impact new vehicle sales.”

Infrastructure metrics reflected growing transportation activity, with highway toll collections via FASTag rising 9.4% month-over-month and transaction volumes increasing 9.3%. Fuel consumption also expanded steadily, with petrol sales up 6.7% and diesel consumption rising 5% year-on-year, demonstrating heightened freight and passenger movement in December.

E-commerce logistics contributed significantly to the strong domestic trade volumes, as intra-state e-way bill generations surged 31% YoY and inter-state transactions rose 24%. This growth underscores the expanding demand for fast and reliable transport across India’s commercial network.

The Shriram Mobility Bulletin, which gathers data from a nationwide network of fleet owners and vehicle dealers, provides a comprehensive snapshot of India’s mobility and logistics trends. December 2025’s data highlights a vibrant freight market, rising truck rentals, and sustained demand for BS-6-compliant vehicles, setting a positive outlook for the commercial vehicle industry in 2026.