Truck rentals on major trunk routes saw a notable rebound in January 2025, driven by improved cargo availability. This increase was largely attributed to the seasonal influx of winter fruits and vegetables, which significantly boosted freight movement and transportation demand.
According to the Shriram Mobility Bulletin, truck rentals recovered smartly in January, reflecting the impact of increased agricultural produce arrivals.
On a Delhi-Mumbai-Delhi round trip, truck rental rates for an 18-tonne payload vehicle rose by 4 per cent, while those on Mumbai-Kolkata-Mumbai route saw a 3.7 per cent rise. Similarly, rental rates on the Delhi-Hyderabad-Delhi and Kolkata-Guwahati-Kolkata routes increased by 3.3 per cent each on a month-on-month (m-o-m) basis. Meanwhile, the Delhi-Chennai-Delhi round trip recorded a 2.4 per cent rise in rental rates.
“The rise in truck rentals is a positive indicator for the logistics sector, suggesting increased transportation demand. The arrival of winter fruits and vegetables has played a crucial role in driving this trend, creating a higher demand for logistics and storage services. However, the cold wave sweeping several parts of the country has disrupted vehicle movement, leading to some supply chain bottlenecks,” said Y S Chakravarti, Managing Director and CEO, Shriram Finance Ltd.
Diesel consumption dips
The impact of the cold wave on vehicle movement is evident in the decline of diesel consumption, which fell by 4 per cent on a m-o-m basis. Additionally, FASTag transaction volume and value registered a marginal decline of 0.4 per cent, indicating fewer commercial vehicles on the roads.
The March quarter, often regarded as a peak period, is expected to see increased activity in the logistics sector. Measures announced in the latest Union Budget are likely to further drive growth in transportation and logistics. Despite temporary disruptions caused by the cold wave, the sector remains well-positioned for strong performance in the coming months, supported by seasonal demand and favourable policy initiatives.
Looking ahead, the upcoming Kharif sowing season is expected to provide an additional boost to the sales of agricultural vehicles, further strengthening the overall momentum in the transportation sector. With improving economic conditions and sustained demand for freight services, truck rentals and vehicle sales are likely to maintain a positive trajectory in the months ahead.
