India’s commercial vehicle (CV) industry is rapidly aligning with global standards, thanks to policy reforms, evolving customer expectations and a robust domestic ecosystem. Automakers and suppliers are making significant strides in cost competitiveness, safety innovations and integrating alternative energy solutions. As the sector continues to evolve, the need for collaboration and strategic discussions has never been more critical.

Recognising this imperative, Motoring Trends, a leading automotive magazine, hosted its inaugural Commercial Vehicles Conference on 21st November 2024, in Pune, India. Themed ‘Moving India Forward’, the event served as a platform for industry leaders, including OEMs, suppliers, technocrats, fleet operators and industry partners, to address challenges and identify opportunities shaping the future of the Indian CV landscape.

By bringing together stakeholders from across the value chain, the conference underscored the importance of collective action in driving innovation, enhancing safety standards, and adopting sustainable practices. As the CV industry transforms to meet global benchmarks, such forums are vital to ensuring India’s leadership in the sector while addressing its unique market dynamics and needs.

Mahindra Truck & Bus, Ashok Leyland and Apollo Tyres supported the event as sponsors, while Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) was the Associate partner, while Asian Trucker and Tyre Trends were the Media partners. The delegates at the event attended from a range of companies such as Tata Motors, MAN Trucks, Continental India, Tyresoles India, and Volvo Trucks among others.

The event kicked off with Dr Seshu Bhagavathula, Director, CityQ and an automotive industry veteran delivering the Keynote address, where he highlighted how urban cities around the world are working to decongest and decarbonise their streets. “This (decongestion and decarbonisation) requires a serious relook and focus on improving urban mobility as well as the role of alternative energy to support the transition,” Dr Bhagavathula.

Rashmi Urdhwareshe, Former Director, Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) shared her perspective on how the automotive industry has been focussing on not just introducing the latest technologies, but also co-developing solutions to meet the India-specific needs. She emphasised  the close cooperation between testing agencies, suppliers and OEMs that is accelerating the transition to the latest technologies.

Making commercial vehicles safer

The commercial vehicle population on Indian roads accounts for a small parc of the total vehicles, but ranks 3^rd when it comes to the vehicles involved in road accidents. In 2022, more than 460,000 accidents took place in India, which resulted in over 168,491 people losing their lives and over 443,366 people being injured.

The first panel discussion of the day focussed on one of the most important aspects pertaining to the CV industry – Safety. The panellists for the session included – Dr Venkat Srinivas, Head Of Business, Mahindra Truck & Bus; Rahul S. Mahajan, Deputy Director, The Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI); Sudeepth Puthumana, Head of Segment – ADAS, Autonomous Mobility, Continental Automotive India and Prashant Kakade, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH).

The session, moderated by Bhushan Mhapralkar, Editor, Motoring Trends, touched upon various factors ranging from ADAS technology, and road designing to driver training and sensitisation.

SKP Amarnath, Group Head - R&D, Apollo Tyres gave a presentation on ‘Commercial Vehicle (Truck) Evolution In India And Impact On Tyres’. He dwelled into the key developments that have taken place in the CV industry and how tyres can play a key role in influencing vehicle safety and efficiency.

Vijay Shrinivas, Member, TREA - Tyre Retreading Education Association and CEO, Indag, gave a presentation on ‘Driving Sustainability and Circularity in Commercial Vehicle Industry’. He presented his thoughts on how treading not only helps save costs on tyre replacement but also enables higher circularity and thus helps reduce carbon emissions too.

Alternative energy & future of commercial vehicles

The role of alternative energy has been a key topic of discussion globally across vehicle segments. While there has been a focus on electrification in certain vehicle classes, the commercial vehicle segment will need to adopt a mixed approach depending on the application and use case.

The second panel discussion was on the topic of Alternative Energy and the Future of Commercial Vehicle. The panellists – Dr Bhagavathula ; Mahesh Babu, CEO, Switch Mobility; Anil Baliga, President, EKA Mobility; Boddapati Dinakar, Executive Vice-President, Sales & Marketing, Volvo Trucks, VECV; Shailesh Zinge, Director - Marketing, Growth Initiatives and Program Management, Engine Business, Cummins India and A Ramasubramanian, CTO, Blue Energy Motors presented their perspective on the alternative fuel segment.

The session was moderated by Nilesh Wadhwa, Assistant Editor, Motoring Trends.

The discussion focussed on how industry stakeholders were exploring various energy mix ranging from electric, LNG to future fuels such as hydrogen and fuel cells. The panellists agreed that globally too at present there was no single fuel that could completely overhaul the commercial vehicles segment. There was a need to not only focus on the vehicles but the necessary charging/refuelling ecosystem.

Transport ecosystem

The health of the CV industry is one of the key barometers to understand a country’s economic prosperity. While one can discuss the trends, policies and technologies, it is imperative that the views of the key stakeholder – fleet operators – are taken into account.

The third panel discussion of the day was on the topic of ‘Transport Ecosystem’. The panellists for the session were - Bal Malkit Singh, Chairman - the Core Committee, Former President, All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) Prasanna Patwardhan, President, Bus & Car Operators Confederation Of India (BOCI) and Sanjay Sasane, Principal, Institute of Driving Training and Research (IDTR).

The session, moderated by Sharad Matade, Executive Editor, Motoring Trends, had an indepth discussion on how fleet operators continued to face headwinds ranging from increases in operational expenses, driver shortages and road infrastructure among others. At the same time, the revenues had not kept up at the same pace. The panellists also presented their perspectives on the adoption of newer technologies and alternative fuels.

Atul Patil, Vice-President – Marketing, Pin 365 delivered the Vote of Thanks. 

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Ashok Leyland, one of the leading commercial vehicle manufacturers, has reintroduced the Taurus and Hippo nameplates to its heavy-duty truck portfolio.

In its new avatar, the Taurus will serve as the brand’s high-horsepower tipper range, while the Hippo anchors the tractor segment. Both vehicles are built on the AVTR modular platform, allowing for various configurations to meet specific haulage requirements.

The new range is powered by an 8.0-litre A-Series 6-cylinder engine, producing 360 HP and 1,600 Nm of torque. These vehicles feature reinforced chassis and heavy-duty drivetrains designed for mining, infrastructure and construction applications. The modular architecture is intended to improve component life and fuel efficiency while reducing driver fatigue through updated cabin ergonomics.

The Hippo was a prominent heavy hauler from the 1980s until the early 2000s, while the Taurus was known as the first multi-axle truck in India. The reintroduction of these names targets the medium and heavy commercial vehicle (MHCV) industry, specifically segments involving bulk commodities, industrial raw materials and over-dimensional cargo (ODC) transportation.

Bookings and deliveries for both ranges have commenced through dealerships nationwide. The company aims to use these models to consolidate its position in the high-horsepower segment of the Indian market.

Shenu Agarwal, Managing Director & CEO, Ashok Leyland, said, “Taurus and Hippo are purpose-built for heavy-duty requirements of mining, infrastructure, and construction applications. The new truck range is powered by Ashok Leyland’s A-Series 6-cylinder engines, now with industry-leading peak torque and power, delivering unmatched durability and reliability, higher productivity and faster turnaround times.”

Sanjeev Kumar, President – MHCV, Ashok Leyland, added, “Hippo and Taurus aren't just product names; they are legends that earned the trust of generations of Indian transporters. These names became synonymous with heavy-duty performance across Indian highways and mining sites, and that's the legacy we're building upon. Tippers and tractors are among the fastest-growing segments in the MHCV industry, playing a critical role in India’s infrastructure growth. Operating in harsh terrains and extreme conditions, these vehicles demand superior reliability, robustness, and driver comfort.”

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Fresh Bus has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Exponent Energy to deploy 250 electric intercity buses across India. The agreement introduces a rapid-charging platform designed to support long-distance travel, including the deployment of a sleeper electric vehicle (EV) fleet. The partnership will initially focus on the Hyderabad–Bengaluru corridor before expanding to other regions.

The collaboration addresses the range limitations traditionally associated with electric buses. Standard intercity EVs often require large battery packs or lengthy charging stops to cover distances beyond 350 km. The new system utilises Exponent Energy’s 1.5 MW infrastructure to provide 15-minute rapid charging during transit. This allows vehicles to operate on routes up to 1,000 km by recharging during highway stops, mimicking the operational patterns of diesel vehicles.

By using rapid-charging technology instead of larger batteries, the companies aim to reduce vehicle weight and lower the total cost of ownership. The megawatt-scale charging stations are positioned to enable faster turnaround times and higher fleet utilisation. This infrastructure supports the goal of Fresh Bus to operate 10,000 electric buses and capture 10 percent of the Indian intercity market.

The technology was developed in India and is intended to prove the viability of long-haul electrification for the domestic transportation sector. The partners spent two years on joint engineering to ensure the platform could meet the demands of India’s highway network and climate conditions.

Sudhakar Chirra, Founder & CEO, Fresh Bus, said, "This is a systems-level solution built for real-world intercity operations. Fast charging is inherently more efficient than simply adding oversized batteries. After two years of close collaboration and rigorous joint engineering with Exponent Energy, we’re ready to deploy at scale. We are not merely adopting EVs; we are co-designing a new paradigm for intercity travel that is faster, more reliable, and ultimately, more passenger-centric, directly addressing the myth that electric buses cannot reliably conquer India’s vast intercity network."

Arun Vinayak, Founder & CEO, Exponent Energy, said, “Rapid charging truly unlocks the opportunity to replace diesel buses with EVs on long-haul routes. A 15-minute quick charge every 300 km during highway pitstops allows for diesel vehicle-like operations with all the benefits of EVs to the fleet operator, the passengers and the climate. We are proud to have developed the entire 1.5MW charging capability and rapid charging technology in India and we are pleased to be working with Fresh Bus to co-design the ecosystem. Together, we’re putting India in pole position when it comes to long-haul electrification globally.”

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Tata Motors has unveiled a transformative new lineup of commercial vehicles, fundamentally redefining standards across safety, profitability and sustainability in Indian trucking. The launch encompasses an extensive portfolio of 17 trucks from 7 to 55 tonnes, featuring the all-new Azura series, significant upgrades to the Prima, Signa and Ultra platforms and a comprehensive electric range under the Tata Trucks.ev brand.

A cornerstone of this launch is the introduction of the Azura, a series engineered for the intermediate and light commercial vehicle segment. Designed to boost productivity and driver comfort, it features a new 3.6-litre diesel engine noted for its performance and efficiency. Available in 7- to 19-tonne variants, the Azura caters to a wide spectrum of logistical needs, including e-commerce, regional distribution and construction transport.

Safety receives unprecedented focus across the entire portfolio, with every truck now engineered to meet stringent global ECE R29 03 crash standards. This commitment extends to cabins built for frontal, rollover and side-impact protection, integrated with up to 23 advanced active safety features such as collision mitigation systems. Enhanced by real-time monitoring via the connected Fleet Edge platform, this initiative positions Tata Motors as the sole Indian manufacturer to achieve this international safety benchmark.

Simultaneously, the upgrades are meticulously crafted to enhance transporter profitability. Engineering refinements have increased payload capacity by up to 1.8 tonnes, while drivetrain improvements, including an advanced Cummins engine, deliver up to seven percent greater fuel efficiency. This drive for lower total cost of ownership is supported by digital tools like Fleet Edge Priority, which provides predictive analytics and real-time vehicle health insights to optimise fleet utilisation and uptime.

Propelling the industry towards sustainable logistics, Tata Motors also debuts its Tata Trucks.ev portfolio. Based on a new modular electric architecture, it includes models from 7 to 55 tonnes for diverse applications. The Ultra EV range leads in the light commercial segment, while the powerful Prima E.55S prime mover and the robust Prima E.28K tipper set new benchmarks for heavy-duty electric performance in port, mining and construction operations. Developed with deep localisation of key components and supported by a growing charging and financing ecosystem, these vehicles aim to make electric trucking both accessible and reliable for Indian businesses.

Beyond the vehicles themselves, customers benefit from Tata Motors' holistic Sampoorna Seva 2.0 support ecosystem. This includes an extensive service network, assured parts availability, round-the-clock assistance and tailored financing solutions, collectively designed to ensure complete operational peace of mind for fleet operators.

Girish Wagh, MD & CEO, Tata Motors Ltd., said, “India’s trucking landscape is undergoing a rapid transformation, driven by progressive national policies, modern infrastructure and the rising demand for safer, cleaner and more efficient logistics. Tata Motors has always led the way in setting benchmarks that shape the industry’s future. With the introduction of our next-generation portfolio – including the all-new Azura series, two advanced high-efficiency powertrains, India’s widest range of zero-emission electric trucks and tippers on our new I-MOEV architecture, significant upgrades to European standard cabins and industry-leading safety features, increased payload and fuel efficiency, all seamlessly integrated with Fleet Edge digital services, we are advancing this legacy. Guided by ‘Better Always’ philosophy, our relentless drive for innovation, deep commitment to localisation and unwavering focus on customer success embody the vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, enhancing India’s self-reliance and aspiration to lead in sustainable mobility.”

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MAN Truck & Bus and TIP Group have entered into a framework agreement for the delivery of up to 600 commercial vehicles annually over the next three years. The contract includes up to 1,800 units across all weight classes, ranging from 7.5 to 42 tonnes and covers operations in 18 European countries. The agreement, which includes both diesel and battery-electric trucks, has a total order value of up to EUR 160 million.

The diesel vehicles supplied will feature the PowerLion drivetrain, incorporating the D30 engine and TipMatic-14 transmission. According to the automaker, these aerodynamic updates reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by up to 5 percent compared to previous models. In the electric segment, the contract includes the eTGL, eTGX and eTGS models. Depending on battery configuration, these vehicles offer claimed ranges between 310 km and 830 km.

The electric heavy-duty models are equipped with Combined Charging System (CCS) connections supporting up to 375 kW. From mid-2026, these models will support megawatt charging up to 750 kW. MAN produces both drive types on a single assembly line at its Munich plant to manage market demand and production costs.

TIP Group, which manages a fleet of over 90,000 assets, will utilise MAN service contracts to manage maintenance and repairs across its European network. These contracts provide fixed monthly rates to ensure cost transparency and vehicle uptime for rental customers.

Friedrich Baumann, Executive Board Member for Sales & Customer Solutions, MAN Truck & Bus, said, “With the new framework agreement, MAN Truck & Bus and TIP Group are sending a strong signal for the future of freight transport. We are pleased to accompany TIP as an important partner on the path to sustainable logistics – with efficient diesel trucks and innovative battery-electric vehicles. This agreement underscores the trust in our products and services and shows how we are jointly driving the transformation of the industry forward.”

Arjen Kraaij, CEO, TIP Group, said, “Supporting customers through the transition means offering the right solutions at the right time. By working closely with partners like MAN, we can expand our fleet with both highly efficient diesel trucks and electric trucks, giving operators practical choices that balance performance, cost efficiency and sustainability.”

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