Commercial vehicles are the backbone of various sectors, and as such, are extremely essential to the effective movement of goods and services in today’s economy. The ability to move goods, machinery, and materials to clients and other places makes these vehicles, such as trucks, vans, and delivery vehicles, crucial for businesses of all sizes. They facilitate the supply chain by ensuring timely delivery, reducing inventory costs, and maintaining a steady flow of goods. Commercial vehicles also support industries like logistics, construction, agriculture, and manufacturing, allowing them to operate smoothly and meet customer demands. Moreover, these vehicles create employment opportunities for drivers, mechanics, and other related professionals, stimulating economic growth. Now as with the technological advancements in recent years, electric vehicles are gaining a respectable market in different domains, including the commercial vehicle market.

Electric commercial vehicles have been on the rise during the recent years, owing to the more environmentally-friendly consumer base due to the awareness of climate change and environmental loss, and the potential risk of losing fossil fuels. The same is true for the commercial vehicles market, which has seen an increase in the options available for electric commercial vehicles to purchase. Electric commercial vehicles have been rising in recent years around the world. This trend follows in India, which has seen a steep increase in electric commercial vehicles on its roads. The government of India also incentivises electric vehicles, and they have advantages over the normal fuel-based vehicles, which we will discuss below in the article. We will also see the top electric commercial vehicles available in India right now.

Increasing Market For Electric Vehicles

Electric vehicle sales have increased dramatically in recent years, which is impressive as a consumer as it shows the potential of them overtaking and becoming the new norm as opposed to regular fuel-based vehicles. The driving range of electric vehicles has increased thanks to developments in battery technology, making them a practical option for daily use. Additionally, the worries regarding a lack of charging infrastructure are being addressed rapidly with lots of new charging stations throughout the country, and the development of fast-charging technology. The appeal of electric vehicles has also been helped by the increased availability of models and the greater cost of electric vehicles.

The electric vehicle market has expanded remarkably in these recent years for these reasons. The new and upcoming technological developments also make them comparable to fuel-based alternatives. Earlier electric vehicles seemed to be more of a gimmick, being much weaker in performance as compared to normal fuel-based vehicles. However, this has been decreasing steadily as the range of the cars improve, with the average electric car being able to travel around 348 kilometres on a single charge. As a result, many more consumers are embracing the change to cleaner, more sustainable transportation, which is causing the global market for electric vehicles to grow quickly. A huge step towards a greener and more sustainable future, the emergence of electric vehicles also denotes a change in the automotive sector.

Also Read: Step Towards Innovation: Electric Buses Manufacturers In India

Top 5 Electric Trucks and Carriers in India

There has been a steady increase in the variety of electric vehicles. This has not just been for cars, as the market is shifting even for two-wheelers, with the renowned industry giant Honda launching electric scooters, alongside a large market. And of course, electric cars have been increasing exponentially with about 20 lakh electric vehicles on the road in India. The same is true for electric commercial vehicles. There has been a steep increase in the number of electric vehicles made for commercial space in India. Below we list the top 5 absolute best electric commercial vehicles available in the Indian market right now.

• Tata Ace EV- This is the electric version of the popular Tata Ace series, an established series of commercial trucks. And same as the fuel-based Tata Ace, this delivers, 36.2 bhp electric motors and IP67-certified lithium-ion battery. This truck has an incredible range of 154km per charge, which makes it the top-class electric commercial vehicle in the market right now.
• Mahindra eSupro– It’s the electric version of the Mahindra Supro van series, available in two variants, passenger and cargo, making it a very handy vehicle in both rural and urban areas. The passenger variant offers a range of 112km per charge, while the cargo has a higher range of 115km.
• Mahindra Trio Zor- An electric 3-wheeler vehicle, it is available in 3 variants, namely Flat Bed, Pickup and Delivery Van. As the variants’ names suggest, this is a highly versatile vehicle available for different operations through different variants as per user need. It boasts a payload capacity of 550kg and a 125km range on one charge.
• Piaggio Ape E-City– The Piaggio 3-wheeler autorickshaw is extremely popular in India, and the electric version of it is just as formidable as the rest. Aside from the iconic look, it has a 7bhp motor with maximum torque of 29 Nm and a range of around 115km on one charge.
• Tata Ultra T7 EV- Another well-known truck series of Tata, the Ultra is very resilient and strong, making it good for rough rural and urban environments. The same is true for the T7 EV, which is sporting a massive 220kw engine with a maximum torque of 280nm, placing it higher than the Ace EV. However, its range is lesser, with around 100+km available in one charge.

These are just the top picks according to us for electric commercial vehicles in India in 2023. But there is a massive market of electric commercial vehicles in the Indian market, with lots of variety of pricing, range, structure and more. All of the 225 electric vehicles currently on the road in India have their pros and cons and are worth looking into.

The Future of Electric Vehicles in Commercial Space

The commercial space is experiencing a rapid rise in the adoption of electric vehicles, the same as everywhere else in the world in the current scenario, as we discussed. As businesses recognize the numerous advantages electrical vehicles offer, they are keener to switch to electric. A key factor in this shift towards electric vehicles is the increased focus on sustainability by companies, and making sure they reduce their carbon footprints. As discussed earlier, electric vehicles are much cleaner than their fuel-based counterpart, with zero tailpipe emissions; which reduces greenhouse gas production and as such cleans the air. This not only aligns with environmental regulations but also enhances the brand image of companies that prioritize sustainability. Additionally, electric vehicles cost much lesser in the long run, benefitting businesses. They have lower fuel and maintenance costs compared to traditional fuel-based vehicles. With fewer moving parts and no need for oil changes, businesses can save a lot on maintenance expenses, allowing them to allocate their resources to other critical areas of their operations. Plus, the availability of government incentives and grants for adopting electric vehicles further increases electric vehicles as an economically viable and attractive option.

Another factor affecting the rise of electric vehicles in the commercial spaces of India is the Indian government increasing the amount of charging stations present throughout the country, especially in big metro cities like Delhi or Mumbai. As stations become more prevalent and accessible, they address the concerns about range anxiety and enable businesses to integrate electronic vehicles into their daily operations seamlessly. Large businesses can also construct and incorporate their charging infrastructure at their facilities, which can ensure that travel is convenient and reliable, with access to charging for their electric vehicles. Furthermore, technological advancements have led to improved battery capacity and faster charging times as we have discussed earlier. This has made electric vehicles as a whole much more practical; the same story is of electric vehicles for commercial use. As a result, companies are capitalizing on the growing infrastructure and technological advancements to slowly switch to electric vehicles more and more, as this will unlock the benefits of reduced emissions, cost savings, and enhanced operational efficiency. Electric car popularity in the commercial sector is a big step in the direction of a greener and more sustainable future. Plus, electric vehicles are just good for business due to the goodwill from people. The widespread adoption of electric vehicles in all commercial operations can potentially revolutionise transportation. Additionally, electric vehicles will reduce pollution, and drive many more companies to bring innovation and new ideas in the automotive industry.

Also Read: Fascinating Technology: World’s Top 5 Electric Convertible Cars

Conclusion

To wrap up, the rise of electric commercial vehicles in India signifies a significant step towards a sustainable and environmentally conscious future. As India grapples with issues such as air pollution and rising carbon emissions, the adoption of electric vehicles in the commercial space holds immense promise. In just seven years, in the year 2030, the Indian government hopes to attain 100% electric transportation. This is an ambitious goal, requiring cooperation from consumers and producers both. As such, businesses across industries are increasingly recognizing the benefits of electric commercial vehicles. From reduced operational costs and lower emissions to improved air quality and enhanced brand image, the advantages are compelling. As we can see, industry leaders are quickly adapting to the new norm and introducing electronic alternatives to commercial vehicles.

However, to ensure a smooth transition, there is a need for continued investment in charging infrastructure, supportive policies, and incentives that encourage the adoption of electric vehicles. Even with the current rise of electric vehicles, there is still a long way to go, with increasing the number of charging stations, reducing the electric vehicle costs and making them more appealing to the customer being a few of the steps that are needed to be undertaken. With concerted efforts from the government, businesses, and society as a whole, India can pave the way for a sustainable and thriving future powered by electric commercial vehicles.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q) What are the incentives of the Govt of India for electric commercial vehicles?

Ans: The government is making a lot of efforts to encourage people to purchase electric automobiles. They have made subsidies available on a state-by-state basis, so we advise you to research the subsidiary offered in your home state.

Q) What is the current scenario of the electronic vehicle market in India?

Ans: The electronic vehicle market is increasing significantly, as this year sales have been boosted by 41%, rising to over 1lakh electronic vehicles sold till April 2023. The trend is likely to continue.