UltraTech Cement to Deploy 100 Electric Trucks for Eco-Friendly Transport

Key Highlights:

• UltraTech Cement plans to deploy 100 electric trucks for logistics, following a successful pilot in 2024.
• The Electric trucks will transport clinker between units in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, covering a 400-km roundtrip.
• The initiative aims to reduce carbon emissions by around 17,000 MT of CO2 annually.
• UltraTech is the first cement company in India to scale up Electric trucks for long-distance transportation.
• The company aims to deploy 500 Electric trucks by June 2025 as part of India’s eFAST initiative for green logistics.

UltraTech Cement Limited, India’s largest cement and ready-mix concrete manufacturer, is ramping up its efforts to reduce carbon emissions by increasing the use of electric vehicles (EV trucks) in its logistics operations. 

The company has signed a transport service contract to deploy 100 Electric trucks, marking a significant step in its sustainability journey. This move follows a successful pilot project that began in January 2024, where five EV trucks were tested on the same route.

Pilot Program Success

The initial pilot project demonstrated that Electric trucks can efficiently handle long-distance logistics. During the pilot, UltraTech installed charging infrastructure along the route and provided specialized training to the drivers. This has helped ensure smooth operations and highlighted the feasibility of electric trucks in cement transportation.

Deployment of 100 Electric Trucks

These 100 Electric trucks will be used to transport clinker from UltraTech’s Dhar Cement Works in Madhya Pradesh to its Dhule Cement Works in Maharashtra. The trucks will cover a roundtrip distance of approximately 400 kilometers and will transport 75,000 metric tons (MT) of clinker every month. 

Environmental Benefits of EV Trucks

Switching from fossil-fuel-powered trucks to EV trucks is expected to reduce transport-related carbon emissions by around 17,000 metric tons (MT) of CO2 each year. This reduction plays a key role in UltraTech’s broader goal of achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050. UltraTech Cement is now the first cement company in India to deploy EV trucks at this scale for long-distance transportation.

Plans for Future Expansion

The company is considering additional routes for the use of EV trucks and plans to launch another pilot project for transporting clinker between two other manufacturing units. Furthermore, UltraTech has set a goal to deploy 500 EV trucks by June 2025, as part of India’s eFAST initiative, which promotes the use of electric vehicles for commercial purposes.

Sustainable Logistics Practices

This move aligns with UltraTech’s long-term sustainability goals. The company has been incorporating eco-friendly logistics practices since 2021, beginning with the use of CNG vehicles, followed by LNG vehicles in 2022. With the addition of EV trucks, UltraTech is taking a significant step toward reducing its carbon footprint across its entire logistics network.

Currently, UltraTech operates a fleet of 468 CNG trucks and 67 LNG trucks, all contributing to the company’s efforts in reducing emissions and promoting sustainable transportation. As the company looks to further integrate EV trucks, it is also assessing how these vehicles can be used in other parts of its operations. UltraTech’s focus on sustainable logistics sets a strong example for the industry.

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CMV360 Says

UltraTech Cement’s plan to expand its fleet of electric trucks is a positive step for a greener logistics network. The company aims to reduce carbon emissions with electric vehicles, helping achieve its environmental goals. This move sets a good example for other companies. It could encourage more businesses to adopt green logistics across India.