NITI Aayog Launches PACT and Zero Emission Truck Marketplace

Why in News?

NITI Aayog launched the Platform for Aggregating Clean Transport (PACT) and the Zero Emission Truck (ZET) Marketplace on 7 September 2026. The platforms were launched during the 5th e-FAST India Summit 2026 in New Delhi. The initiative aims to accelerate zero-emission freight transport and electric truck adoption in India. It brings together freight demand, vehicle manufacturers, logistics companies, charging operators, and financiers.

Platform for Aggregating Clean Transport (PACT)

PACT stands for Platform for Aggregating Clean Transport. It is a digital platform designed to aggregate freight demand from shippers and logistics service providers. The platform can help identify commercially viable routes for electric trucks. It can also improve freight visibility and support charging infrastructure planning.

Key Objectives of PACT

• Aggregate freight demand across logistics networks.
• Identify suitable zero-emission freight corridors.
• Improve visibility of freight movement.
• Support electric truck deployment.
• Facilitate better planning of charging infrastructure.

Zero Emission Truck (ZET) Marketplace

The ZET Marketplace is a digital business-engagement platform for India’s electric freight ecosystem. It connects major stakeholders involved in zero-emission trucking through a common marketplace. These stakeholders include:

• Electric truck manufacturers
• Logistics service providers
• Charging infrastructure operators
• Financial institutions and financiers

The marketplace is expected to improve business connections and facilitate investment in electric freight transport.

Freight Transport and Emissions in India

Road transport accounts for about 70% of India’s freight movement. Heavy-duty trucks represent only around 3–4% of India’s vehicle fleet. However, they contribute more than one-third of transport-sector carbon emissions. This makes the electrification of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles important for India’s transport decarbonisation goals. Electric freight vehicle deployment is also increasing. Deployments rose from 201 vehicles in FY 2024–25 to 826 vehicles in FY 2025–26. More than 3,000 electric medium- and heavy-duty vehicles (e-MHDVs) are currently in active operation across India.

Financing Challenges for Electric Trucks

High upfront costs remain a major challenge for electric heavy-duty vehicles. During the summit, discussions highlighted the need for innovative financing mechanisms. Blended finance, leasing models, and improved data systems can help reduce financing costs and the cost of capital for electric trucks. Lower financing costs can improve the commercial viability of electric freight vehicles.

Significance of PACT and ZET Marketplace

The two platforms can strengthen India’s transition towards zero-emission freight transport. PACT focuses primarily on aggregating demand and identifying viable deployment corridors. The ZET Marketplace focuses on connecting businesses across the electric freight ecosystem. Together, they can support:

• Faster electric truck adoption.
• Better utilisation of charging infrastructure.
• Development of zero-emission freight corridors.
• Greater private-sector participation.
• Improved access to financing.
• Reduction in freight-sector carbon emissions.

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