In a landmark step toward sustainable logistics, the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, today flagged off India’s first fleet of electric heavy trucks with swappable batteries at the Nhava Sheva Distribution Terminal in Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA). With this, JNPA now boasts the largest electric vehicle (EV) truck fleet among all Indian ports.
A state-of-the-art heavy-duty battery swapping station was also commissioned, supporting the port’s ambitious plan to convert 90% of its internal fleet of approximately 600 heavy trucks to electric by December 2026. The event also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between JNPA and the Isaac Centre for Public Policy (ICPP), Ashoka University, Delhi. This MoU aims to create a reference framework for port authorities to determine tariffs through cost and port benchmarking across various cargo types.
Speaking at the occasion, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal said, “Today, when JNPA takes a decisive step in electrifying its fleet of logistics vehicles, it sends a message far beyond port boundaries. India’s ports are ready to pioneer practices that will set benchmarks for sustainability, efficiency, and innovation. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, we are ensuring that the Indian maritime sector not only keeps pace with global developments but also sets new benchmarks in sustainability and efficiency.”
The initial induction saw 50 electric trucks flagged off, with the fleet expected to expand to 80 by year-end. Shri Unmesh Sharad Wagh, Chairperson, JNPA and CMD, VPLL, highlighted, “This fleet represents a paradigmatic leap toward a cleaner, greener, and more resilient future for port operations. Sustainability is no longer an adjunct to growth; it is its very foundation.”
The initiative underscores JNPA’s leadership in sustainable logistics, handling nearly half of India’s container trade. Key benefits of the EV truck deployment include:
Alignment with India’s net-zero commitment by 2070 and the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan.
Reduced operational emissions, particulate pollution, and noise within the port ecosystem.
Establishment of a replicable model for other ports to adopt EVs for cargo-handling and last-mile connectivity.
This milestone reinforces JNPA’s commitment to the Government of India’s Maritime India Vision 2030 and Green Ports initiative, integrating environmental stewardship with operational excellence and further cementing its position as a trailblazer in port-led sustainable development.
Other dignitaries present included Shri R. Lakshmanan, Joint Secretary, MoPSW, and Shri Unmesh Sharad Wagh, Chairperson, JNPA and CMD, VPLL.