In a major push toward decarbonization and energy security, India is poised to introduce a mandate for blending isobutanol with diesel later this year. Ministry of Roads, Transport and Highways (MoRTH) Secretary V Umashankar announced the development on Friday during the CII Multimodal Transportation and Logistics Summit. Highlighting that diesel consumption in India is roughly double that of petrol, Umashankar emphasized that a diesel blending mandate will have a far more profound impact on the nation’s energy security than existing petrol-ethanol initiatives. Strategic research conducted by Bharat Petroleum has already yielded highly encouraging results.
Alongside alternative fuels, the ministry is tackling heavy-duty electric vehicle constraints through a forthcoming draft notification on tractor-trailer interchangeability. This innovative framework bypasses long battery charging times and complex swapping networks by allowing operators to detach the cargo container and swap the entire front tractor unit of the truck. This model ensures commercial fleets remain operational while depleted tractor units recharge at designated hubs.
The government’s green mobility transition extends to hydrogen logistics and public transit. Pilot projects, including hydrogen buses operating between Delhi and neighboring NCR cities, have demonstrated operating costs comparable to traditional logistics. While infrastructure remains capital-intensive, plans are underway to support the deployment of strategically placed hydrogen refueling stations along major corridors like the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway.
To drastically reduce transit delays, MoRTH is also accelerating smart highway infrastructure. The barrier-less Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling system, currently successful at two locations with a third going live within days, will expand to all four-lane-plus toll plazas nationwide over the next year. Combined with a freshly approved Advanced Traffic Management System for Delhi NCR and dedicated expressways to segregate traffic speeds, India is rapidly transforming its logistics landscape.
