In a landmark move for sustainable logistics, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, inaugurated India’s first fleet of electric heavy-duty trucks equipped with swappable batteries at the Nhava Sheva Distribution Terminal of Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) on 25 September.
With this rollout, JNPA has become the first Indian port to operate the country’s largest electric truck fleet. The initial deployment consists of 50 electric trucks, with the number expected to grow to 80 by the end of 2025. To enable smooth operations, a high-capacity battery swapping station has also been set up within the port premises.
Looking ahead, JNPA has outlined an ambitious roadmap to transition nearly 90 percent of its 600-strong heavy truck fleet to electric by December 2026.
Speaking at the event, Minister Sonowal remarked that JNPA’s decision marks a transformative step in India’s port-led logistics, sending a strong message of innovation and environmental responsibility. “When a port like JNPA leads the way in electrification, it not only enhances efficiency but also sets a benchmark for sustainability and future-ready operations,” he said.
He further highlighted that Indian ports are simultaneously scaling up renewable energy adoption through solar and wind projects, expanding LNG and hydrogen fuel facilities, and electrifying cargo handling systems to align with national decarbonisation goals.
JNPA Chairperson Shri Unmesh Sharad Wagh, who also serves as CMD of VPPL, described the development as a “significant leap towards cleaner, smarter, and more resilient port logistics,” stressing that growth and sustainability must go hand in hand.
JNPA’s green initiative comes on the back of recent milestones, including its inclusion among the world’s Top 25 container ports in the World Bank’s Container Port Performance Index (CPPI), record container throughput, progress in Special Economic Zone development, and strides in digitalisation and renewable energy integration.