Lessons from early pilots for ZETs in India

Need for localized sub-national policies to spur ZET adoption in India

A comprehensive policy framework at the subnational level inIndia becomes essential as electric truck adoption faces multiple interconnected challenges. The current landscape reveals significant barriers, including high upfront costs, limited charging infrastructure, and uncertain market dynamics. These challenges require coordinated policy interventionsacross different domains to create an enabling environment for electric truck adoption. Studies have shown that successful electric vehicle markets are shaped by different levels of policy support, corporate activity, consumer preferences, and cultural specificities. After the success of FAME -I & FAME-II schemes in accelerating electric vehicle adoption in India, the central government has launched the PM E-Drive, which, for the first time, has ventured into promoting zero-emission trucks. This has paved the way for states to overhaul their State EV policies to include incentives to promote ZETs over & beyond the PM E-Drive. In this episode, I am chatting with Sumit Aggarwal [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sumit-agrawal-0962a4119/?originalSubdomain=in], Program coordinator at Climate Group and Rijhul Ladha [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rijhul-ladha/], senior research associate at UC Davis India ZEV Research Center. Read more on the Sub-National Policies here [https://theclimategroup-my.sharepoint.com/personal/sagrawal_climategroup_org/_layouts/15/onedrive.aspx?id=%2Fpersonal%2Fsagrawal%5Fclimategroup%5Forg%2FDocuments%2FE%2DMHDT%20Project%2FSMPF%20report%20web%20version&ga=1] About Climate Group [https://www.theclimategroup.org/climate-group-india]: Climate Group drives climate action. Fast. Our goal is a world of net zero carbon emissions by 2050, with greater prosperity for all. The organization focuses on systems with the highest emissions and where our networks have the greatest opportunity to drive change.  About EV100+ [https://www.theclimategroup.org/accelerating-indias-electric-vehicle-transition] EV100+ is focussed on large vans and trucks (weighing more than 7.5t) and unlocking a revolution in zero-emission trucking. The e-MHDT (electrification of medium and heavy-duty trucks) project puts a spotlight on specific truck applications and related knowledge products. We're also supporting topbusinesses with rolling out their e-truck pilots.    Why Freight ? Road transport accounts for over 90% of transport emissionsin India. Whilst large vans, trucks and other medium and heavy-duty freight vehicles (MHDVs) constitute just 2% of all road vehicles, they account for 45% of all road emissions in the country. With India aiming for net zero by 2070, transport decarbonisation is a vital part of the pathway to achievingthis goal.

Lessons from early pilots for ZETs in India

The freight sector has long been one of the largestcontributors to carbon and particulate emissions, making freight electrification a top priority for countries around the world. In India, multiple stakeholders - from OEMs and fleet operators to think tanks and charging infrastructure providers — are testing early pilots with Zero-Emission Trucks (ZETs). These pilots offer promising signs. ZETs could help reducetotal cost of ownership, cut air pollution, and open pathways for millions of future green jobs. Yet key barriers remain: high upfront vehicle costs and gaps in charging infrastructure. In this episode, I’m joined by someone who has afront-row seat to all of this: Shivangi Dhingra [linkedin.com/in/shivangidhingra96?originalSubdomain=in]from Climate Group. Shivangi has been working closely with fleet operators, OEMs, policymakers, and charging companies who are experimenting with ZET pilots across the country. Read more about the pilots here. [https://www.theclimategroup.org/our-work/publications/indias-road-zero-emission-trucking] About Climate Group [https://www.theclimategroup.org/climate-group-india]: Climate Group drives climate action. Fast. Our goal is a world of net zero carbon emissions by 2050, with greater prosperity for all. The organization focuses on systems with the highest emissions and where our networks have the greatest opportunity to drive change.  About EV100+ [https://www.theclimategroup.org/accelerating-indias-electric-vehicle-transition] EV100+ is focussed on large vans and trucks (weighing more than 7.5t) and unlocking a revolution in zero-emission trucking. The e-MHDT (electrification of medium and heavy-duty trucks) project puts a spotlight on specific truck applications and related knowledge products. We're also supporting top businesses with rolling out their e-truck pilots.

Who in Africa is ready for EVs?

(Index Link below) In this episode, we discuss the EV readiness indicatorsacross African countries talking about how prepared countries are for an electric mobility transition. We walk through the key indicators of readiness, explore how the methodology was designed, and discuss what the findings reveal about both opportunities and challenges across the continent. About the Energy for Growth Hub: The Energy for Growth Hub [https://energyforgrowth.org/] is a global think tank advancing data-driven solutions to end energy poverty and build a high-energy climate-resilient future for everyone. Hamna Tariq, [https://www.linkedin.com/in/hamnatariq97/] is a research associate focusing on advanced nuclear tech, electric vehicle readiness and energy access metrics for global markets. Before graduate school, Hamna was a research junior fellow of nuclear strategy in South Asia for the Stimson Center. Hamna holds a Masters in International Affairs from the School of Public and International Affairs (SIPA) at Columbia University and a BA in International Studies from Trinity College. Daniel Johansson [https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-johansson-ch/] is a research associate at the Energy for Growth Hub. He covered projects on investment climates in the U.S. and the EU pertaining to energy and emissions regulation frameworks as well as the startup ecosystem in sub-Saharan Africa. Before graduate school, Daniel played college basketball in Canada and professional basketball in Europe. Daniel holds a Masters in Global Affairs from New York University and a BA in Political Science from the University of Toronto.   Important Links: 2025 Update: Africa EV Readiness and Impact Index [https://energyforgrowth.org/article/2025-update-africa-ev-readiness-and-impact-index/] ; TableuLink [https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/energyforgrowthhub/viz/shared/CC5XXG5TW] Africa’s EV Future: Five Things to Know [https://energyforgrowth.org/article/africas-ev-future-five-things-to-know/] Who in Africa Is Ready for EVs? [https://energyforgrowth.org/article/who-in-africa-is-ready-for-evs/] Picture credits - eWaka e-bike (https://www.ewaka.tech/)

State of Chihuahua's Roadmap to E-Mobility

The episode dives into understanding how subnational governments in Low and middle-income countries pave the way for EV manufacturing. Case in point: The Mexican state of Chihuahua, aPowerhouse in the automotive industry is strategically gearing up for the electric vehicle era. With a long history in automotive manufacturing—representing 35% of its output—Chihuahua's auto-related companies are primarily export-oriented and integral to North America's supply chain. The state already boasts a 64% readiness on the EV index. We chat with Diana Paez [https://www.linkedin.com/in/paez/], Senior Director of Energy and Mobility at the William Davidson Institute (WDI) at the University of Michigan. Diana leads WDI’s efforts to drive just transitions to sustainable energy solutions and electric mobility in emerging markets. She brings over 18 years of experience in international development, working with partners across government, the private sector, academia, and civil society.  -- About WDI [https://wdi.umich.edu/about/] At the William Davidson Institute at the University ofMichigan, unlocking the power of business to provide lasting economic and social prosperity in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is in our DNA. We gather the data, develop new models, test concepts and collaborate with partners to find real solutions that lead to new opportunities. This is what we mean by Solving for Business—our calling since the Institute was first founded as an independent nonprofit educational organization in 1992. We believe societies that empower individuals with the tools and skills to excel inbusiness, in turn, generates both economic growth and social freedom—or the agency necessary for people to thrive.   -- Shownotes: Mapping the Climate Tech Ecosystem in Mexico [https://wdi.umich.edu/news/mapping-the-climate-tech-ecosystem-in-mexico/] Roadmap to E-Mobility for the state of Chihuahua [https://wdi.umich.edu/wp-content/uploads/WDI_Chihuahua_E-mobility_Roadmap_3.13.23v1_web.pdf] What EVs Mean for LMICs [https://wdi.umich.edu/news/blog-what-evs-mean-for-lmics/]

Balancing Lives and Livelihoods on Electric Motorcycles

Road safety isn’t just a public health issue — it’s a gigworker’s daily reality. And can electric vehicles be safer for them? In this episode of The EV Equation, I’m interviewingAriana Childs Graham, director of road safety at Global Health Advocacy incubator (GHAI). We talk about road safety policies governing the lives of app-based motorbike delivery workers across the Global South. Spending over 60 hours a week on the road, these workers face a high risk of crashes — often with little protection, insurance, or recourse. We explore key questions: – How do city infrastructure and policy shape accident rates? – What role do platform incentives and penalties play? – Are electric vehicles improving or worsening safety outcomes? Motorcycle-related fatalities now account for one-third ofglobal road deaths. In places like Indonesia, motorcycles are involved in more than 80% of road fatalities. In Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Vietnam, motorcycles make up over 75% of the motorized fleet. Since 2011, global motorcycle use has surged by 175%, and with that growth, the risks have multiplied.   To address this growing public health issue, Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) launched The Motorcycle Safety Imperative: An Action Agenda to Address a Growing Public Health and Safety Crisis [https://assets.advocacyincubator.org/uploads/2025/Motorcycle_Safety_Action_Agenda.pdf?_gl=1*sjhaa7*_gcl_au*MTU1MzAyNTMyOC4xNzM5NTQzMTUz] The GHAI Road Safety Program [https://www.advocacyincubator.org/program-areas/injury-prevention/road-safety] is working alongside civil society advocates in Bangladesh, China, Colombia, Ecuador, India, Mexico, Uganda, Ukraine, and Vietnam to raise awareness about the changing road safety landscape and urging the adoption of sustainable policy solutions to address the rise in motorcycle-related deaths and injuries. Photo by wu yi [https://unsplash.com/@takeshi2?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash] on Unsplash [https://unsplash.com/photos/man-in-blue-jacket-riding-motorcycle-XjyiK4OvoVQ?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash]