Indian cement industry deploys 150 E-trucks, plans major capacity expansion
In a significant move towards green logistics, India’s cement industry, the second largest in the world with an installed capacity of around 670 million tonnes per annum (MTPA), has begun piloting the use of electric trucks (E-trucks). Top industry officials announced on Thursday that approximately 150 E-trucks have already been deployed.
Additionally, the cement industry plans to invest around INR 40,000 crore to add 40 MTPA annually, targeting an increase of 100-120 MTPA over the next three years. This ambitious expansion was discussed by officials from the Cement Manufacturers’ Association (CMA) at the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)-Green Cementech 2024 conference, which began on Thursday and concluded on Friday.
For each metric tonne of capacity, an investment of around INR 1,000 crore is required, according to the CMA. Neeraj Akhoury, CMA president and managing director of Shree Cement, noted that while piloting E-trucks can reduce operating costs in the long run, challenges such as the higher cost of ownership, heavy batteries, insufficient charging infrastructure, and limited EV range persist.
During the conference, a report titled “Greening Logistics: Electrification in Cement & Raw Material Transport” was released by the CII and CMA. Madhavkrishna Singhania, chairman of Green Cementech 2024 and deputy MD & CEO of JK Cement, highlighted the industry’s leadership in deploying EVs for material handling and dispatch operations, even on routes exceeding 100 kilometres. He emphasised the long-term benefits of reduced emissions, lower energy costs, and regulatory compliance.
The report underscored the industry’s reliance on road transport and internal combustion engine (ICE) trucks for moving cement, clinker, and other raw materials over an average distance of 300 kilometres. This green initiative demonstrates the cement industry’s commitment to sustainability and its proactive steps to reduce its carbon footprint while expanding its production capacity.
