IIT Madras study charts renewable energy pathway for Zero-Emission Trucking

Chennai: A new study by the Indian Institute of Technology Madras has unveiled a practical and financially viable roadmap to power Zero Emission Truck (ZET) charging infrastructure using renewable energy, offering a major boost to India’s clean freight transition.

The research, carried out by the Centre for Excellence in Energy and Telecommunications (CEET) and the Centre of Excellence for Zero Emission Trucking (CoEZET) housed in the Department of Engineering Design at IIT Madras, also led to the release of a comprehensive policy handbook titled “RE-Charge Ready Reckoner, “A Handbook on Renewable Energy Integration for Zero Emission Truck Charge Parks.”

The handbook is designed as a ready reference for policymakers, industry stakeholders, charge park developers and operators to accelerate adoption of renewable-powered ZET infrastructure in alignment with State and Central government requirements.

The study outlines pathways for integrating dedicated solar and wind power generation into high-capacity ZET charge parks, supported by Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). The objective is to decarbonise electric freight mobility while reducing reliance on conventional grid electricity.

What distinguishes the study is its corridor-based approach focused specifically on heavy-duty ZET charging. Researchers analysed two major freight corridors, Chennai-Bangalore and Solapur–Vijayapura, using traffic data, techno-economic modelling, policy analysis and power electronics design to develop scalable solutions.

Highlighting the importance of greening electricity supply for ZET infrastructure, Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras and Chair, CEET, said the handbook presents a comprehensive techno-economic framework and business mechanism for establishing renewable energy-integrated charge parks.

He expressed confidence that the document would serve as a valuable resource for decision-makers and charge park owners to catalyse the development of green charge parks nationwide.

Prof. C. S. Shankar Ram, Principal Investigator at CoEZET, underlined the urgency of transitioning India’s trucking sector. He noted that while trucks account for only about 3 per cent of vehicles on the road, they contribute nearly 53 per cent of on-road particulate matter pollution.

With the logistics sector handling around 65 per cent of freight movement by road and contributing close to 5 per cent of GDP, shifting to zero-emission trucking could yield disproportionately high gains for air quality, public health and energy security.

The handbook serves as both a technical and financial blueprint, addressing concerns related to upfront investment, operating costs and long-term returns.

It demonstrates how renewable energy integration combined with BESS can reduce energy costs and demand charges, while transforming ZET charge parks into future multi-energy hubs.

To facilitate implementation, the publication includes a ‘ZET Charge Park Calculator’ an Excel-based planning tool that enables stakeholders to estimate renewable energy capacity requirements, land needs, investment outlay, return on investment, annual cost savings and potential CO₂ emission reductions.

The tool is intended to support charge point operators, fleet owners, DISCOMs and government agencies in making informed, site-specific decisions.

With the handbook now publicly available through CoEZET at IIT Madras, the study positions renewable-integrated electric freight infrastructure as a high-impact lever in India’s broader clean energy transition, promising reduced diesel imports, lower emissions and accelerated deployment of sustainable freight solutions.