Introduced by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), Government of India, in 2017 on a pilot basis by the Mumbai Traffic police in October 2016, the e-challan system has since been put into practive all over the country. Aimed at digitising the process of traffic violation enforcement by eliminating manual loopholes, the system is proving to be annoying for transporters however.

It is not the technology, but the ones who deploy the system, claims transporters. Stating that the e-challan system has over time become a source of significant distress for transporters even though its introduction was appreciated by the industry as it digitised the process of traffic violation enforcement and eliminated many manual loopholes, Bal Malkit Singh, Chairman - Core Committe and Former President, All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), averred, "The system has over time become a source of significant distress for transporters and other road users. It has become a new ‘Frankenstein’ and death knell for the road transport sector.” 

Stating that a strong resentment is brewing and the transport fraternity across the country is agitating, Singh said, “The intention behind e-challans is to improve transparency and reduce manual intervention, but several issues have risen to complicate the situation for transporters.” “The primary issue stems from the large volume of incorrect or excessive e-challans issued to them. Many trucks plying long distances are receiving multiple e-challans for the same alleged offense or due to erroneous readings from speed detection or overloading devices,” he added. 

Giving an example of trucks travelling through multiple states often receiving fines for supposed infractions such as over-speeding or minor overloading even though they are within legal limits, Singh explained, “Such errors accumulate and led to a financial strain for transporters. This is exacerbated as transporters operate nationwide – covering diverse terrains and jurisdictions – that would mean that they may be penalised in various states.” “These fines often lack clarity or the chance for immediate redressal, leading to confusion and increased operational costs,” he elaborated.

Informing that enforcement officials have found a way around technology to generate motivated challans without any verifiable proof of offence, which is leading to acute harassment of the transport fraternity, Singh articulated, “There is neither authentication of any violation through static photo nor there is any transparency leading to acute harassment of the transport fraternity. Static photo of a parked vehicle is clicked and challans are issued for random offences. The vehicle owner may be from a geographically distant state and cannot contest the challan in court. Lack of communication regarding issuance of e-challan to the vehicle owner/operators who is sitting in one part of the country and must travel across the length and breadth of it to get it disposed/rectified.”

With instance where the vehicle owner comes to know of the challans issued only after he tries to dispose of his vehicle, goes to renew its fitness and to renew the permit (in the case of commercial vehicles), the issues with e-challans is pan-India in nature than be limited to a certain geographically or cultural area it looks like. 

Transport associations like the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) have voiced concerns and are actively engaging with state and central authorities to address the growing problem. They have raised issues related to inaccurate e-challans due to technical errors or faulty detection equipment, lack of a unified system across states leading to inconsistency in how fines are issued and difficulty in contesting these fines as there is no streamlined process for redressal or appealing incorrect challans.

They are demanding a centralised and transparent grievance redressal system, standardisation of e-challan policies, equipment calibration across states and leniency or waiver of penalties that are clearly issued due to system malfunctions, according to Singh. 

Of the opinion that traffic enforcement is a state subject, Singh expressed that the intensity and frequency of issues differ state-to-state therefore and in some states use of faulty equipment or overly strict enforcement practices that has led to a higher number of incorrect challans. Singh drew attention to issues like non-integration with national vehicle databases (such as Vahan 4) in some states. “The system in Telangana for example,” Singh articulated, “has been of specific concern for transporters because it is not fully integrated with the national system, leading to problems like wrongful issuance of challans for vehicles from other states.” 

"The potential solutions to addressing the issue of e-challan," Singh commented, “Is to ensure scientifically verifiable evidence. A centralised grievance redressal system with a nodal officer should be put in place. The exact recording of the offence with exact measurement in case of over-height or overload or similar such case should be presented rather than a picture to avoid any doubt about motivated action. Equipment and procedures should be standardised. Vehicle databases should be integrated. Enforcement officials should ne trained to be humane. The accountability of the enforcement officials should be ascertained whenever the issue of motivated challans is there." 

Image for representative purpose only. 

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Montra Electric, the clean mobility brand of the Murugappa Group, has marked its entry into the northern markets with the Montra Electric E-27 tractor at the EIMA Agrimach India 2025 exhibition.

The E-27 is stated to be India’s first ARAI-certified electric tractor and delivers 27 HP equivalent power and 90 Nm torque through a high-efficiency PMSM motor, enabling performance in plowing, tilling, spraying and haulage. The e-tractor comes with 2WD and 4WD drivetrain options.

The E-27 is now available for purchase in 17 dealerships across 10 states, with prices starting from INR 1.07 million (ex-showroom).

Its 22.37 kWh LFP prismatic-cell battery pack offers a runtime of approximately 4.5 hours with a charging time of 2.15 hours. The E-27 is ARAI certified, confirming its compliance with national standards for safety, reliability and performance.

The tractor features an 8F + 2R side-shift transmission, a dual-speed PTO (540 and 1000 rpm) and a 720 kg hydraulic lifting capacity. Economically, the E-27 reduces operating costs by up to 70 percent due to no diesel consumption and lower maintenance requirements, resulting in lifetime savings nearing INR one million compared to conventional diesel models. The quiet operation and reduced vibration improve operator comfort.

Harish Prasad, CEO, Montra Electric Tractors, said, “The expansion into the northern markets with our Montra Electric E-27 tractor is a pivotal milestone for us and a major step in India’s clean-mobility and agricultural transformation. Agriculture is the largest consumer of tractors, which makes electrification essential for achieving meaningful sustainability at scale. The E-27 reflects our broader vision of building clean, accessible, and future-ready mobility solutions. By bringing zero-emission technology to India’s farmlands, we are aligning our mission of sustainable mobility with the nation’s long-term environmental and economic priorities. Farmers can now embrace cutting-edge technology without compromising productivity, while substantially reducing their total cost of ownership.”

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Piaggio Vehicles, a subsidiary of the Piaggio Group, has launched two new diesel cargo three-wheelers in India – the Ape Xtra Bada 700 and the Ape Xtra 600 priced at INR 345,000 and INR 288,000 (ex-showroom Maharashtra), respectively.

The new three-wheelers are designed to strengthen the company’s position in the last-mile cargo sector and compete with entry-level four-wheel cargo small commercial vehicles (SCVs).

The Ape Xtra Bada 700 introduces features intended to set new industry standards in the three-wheeler cargo category. It features the company's 700 DI diesel engine, providing pulling power and enhanced torque. The vehicle debuts India's first 7 feet cargo deck, allowing for larger and longer loads. It offers a segment-best 750 kg payload capacity, the largest in any three-wheeler cargo vehicle. Other features include a new platform, a digital cluster, 12-inch radial tyres, a new cab and an industry warranty of five years.

The new Ape Xtra 600 features Piaggio's newly developed 600 DI diesel engine, offering improved mileage, better gradeability, and enhanced load-carrying performance. The vehicle is positioned as a reliable and efficient option at an accessible price point.

Diego Graffi, Chairman & Managing Director, Piaggio Vehicles, said, “At Piaggio India, we have always believed in pushing the boundaries of innovation in the last-mile mobility segment. The Ape Xtra Bada 700 is a landmark product that disrupts the cargo 3-wheeler category with industry-first features in engine capacity, deck size and payload. It is designed to empower customers with more productivity and superior earnings. Alongside, the Ape Xtra 600 continues our commitment to delivering efficient, high-value solutions. With these new diesel cargo products, we strengthen our Ape legacy and reiterate our focus on customer-centric engineering.”

Amit Sagar, Executive Vice-President, CV Domestic Business & Retail Finance, Piaggio Vehicles, added, “Cargo mobility demands are changing rapidly, with customers expecting higher power, higher payload, better comfort, and stronger performance. The Ape Xtra Bada 700 addresses all these needs with a fresh, powerful new platform and several industry-firsts that directly enhance profitability for customers. It provides the most efficient, economical, and affordable option for a Cargo 3W and provides a compelling alternate to the four-wheeler cargo vehicles with an advantageous Opeco and TCO. The Ape Xtra 600 also brings improved capabilities to our strong diesel cargo portfolio. We are confident that these products will further strengthen our leadership in the cargo three-wheeler market.”

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IVECO, a manufacturer in alternative propulsion, has demonstrated the endurance of its gas-powered heavy vehicles with the IVECO S-Way CNG truck travelling over 1,000 kilometres on one refill of compressed natural gas (CNG).

The test was carried out under real-world conditions by French journalists Fabien Calvet and Loic Fieux, driving between the Belgian and Spanish borders. The tractor unit towed a loaded curtain-sided semi-trailer with a gross combination weight of 30 tonnes, confirming the S-Way CNG’s efficiency and viability for daily operations. The result showed an average consumption of below 21 kg / 100 km over the distance, combined with quick refuelling.

The truck's gas engine is said to have delivered smooth, responsive and quiet performance, with handling comparable to a diesel model. The journalists noted the vehicle's high-performance engine brake and intarder hydraulic retarder offered strong braking, while the full air suspension enhanced driving comfort.

The model tested uses the xCursor 13 engine by FPT Industrial, producing 500 hp and 2,200 Nm of torque. This engine is designed to meet future Euro VII emissions standards and is paired with a second-generation ZF TraXon 12-speed automated gearbox.

The vehicle was equipped with new 620-litre tanks, providing a total capacity of 1,240 litres equivalent to at least 190 kg of CNG. This capacity represents an 18 percent increase over the previous generation.

IVECO utilised multiple systems to maximise fuel efficiency:

• Predictive GPS systems worked to recover kinetic energy on downhill sections and adjust engine speed ahead of climbs.
• Intelligent energy management features, including a controlled alternator and a dis-engageable air compressor, ensure energy is only consumed when necessary.
• Aerodynamic improvements such as deflectors, side fairings and mirror-cams help to reduce drag.

The gas-powered trucks offer a transport solution that is both sustainable and cost-effective, supported by an established European refuelling network. Operators can utilise the approximately 4,300 bioLNG and 800 BioCNG stations currently in operation.

When running on biomethane, which is produced from organic waste, the trucks can reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by an average of 95 percent, alongside lower fine particle and nitrogen oxide emissions compared to diesel. The European gas refuelling network is set to expand further, with 50 new stations scheduled to open in 2026.

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Chennai-based Daimler India Commercial Vehicles has announced the appointment of Torsten Schmidt as its new CEO. He is set to succeed Satyakam Arya, who has been nominated as the designated President and CEO of Hino Motors in Japan.

Schmidt, currently CFO of Mercedes-Benz do Brasil, has been with Daimler since 1997. Over the course of nearly three decades, he has held various roles across Germany, India, Japan and Brazil, having led teams across sales and central function at Daimler Truck, Mercedes-Benz Trucks and Daimler Truck Asia.

Achim Puchert, CEO Mercedes-Benz Trucks: “Torsten is an experienced and respected leader whose global and intercultural expertise are matched by a proven ability to deliver results. His strong leadership qualities, strategic vision, financial proficiency, and comprehensive knowledge of the entire value chain make him the perfect fit for his new role and to drive our business forward. My heartfelt thanks go to Satyakam - an outstanding leader with exceptional expertise in commercial vehicle operations and a deep commitment to customer success. Satyakam has been a driving force behind Daimler India Commercial Vehicles’ success and together with his team he has established a solid footprint. We wish him all the best in his new role.”  

In his new role, Torsten Schmidt will report to Achim Puchert, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Trucks.

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