- Why in news
- On 7 September 2026, NITI Aayog Member Rajiv Gauba launched the Platform for Aggregating Clean Transport (PACT) and the Zero Emission Truck (ZET) Marketplace at the 5th e-FAST India Summit 2026.
- What it is
- PACT (Platform for Aggregating Clean Transport) is an enabling platform that pools demand, financing and corridor planning for clean freight. The ZET Marketplace is its marketplace for zero emission trucks. Both target heavy-duty electrification, where fragmented operators and costly capital slow adoption.
- Design approach
- They work through demand aggregation, financing innovation and corridor-based projectization.
- Truck emissions
- Heavy trucks are 3-4% of the vehicle fleet but cause over a third of transport-sector carbon emissions.
- Sales and freight share
- About 800 heavy-duty electric trucks were sold in 2025, while 70% of India's freight moves by road.
- Related schemes
- Schemes named include PLI for Automobiles and Advanced chemistry cells, FAME, PM e-DRIVE, PARIVARTAN and PM e-Bus Sewa.
Don’t confuse with PACT vs PM e-DRIVE: PACT is an aggregation platform for clean freight; PM e-DRIVE is a demand-side subsidy scheme.
Don’t confuse with FAME vs e-FAST: FAME is a government incentive scheme; e-FAST is a summit and forum on clean mobility.
Schemes: 52 Prelims questions since 2013, 10 in Prelims 2026 alone. They test features, the period and who funds it. In Mains, 33 news-triggered questions, mostly GS3.
Why it matters
- Targets the small truck segment that causes a large share of transport emissions, supporting the Net Zero 2070 goal.
- Cuts diesel dependence on road freight, helping energy security.
Problems
- High cost of capital makes electric trucks costlier to finance than diesel ones.
- Fragmented logistics operators and lack of corridor charging plans hold back demand.
Way forward
- Use blended finance, leasing models and better data systems to bring the cost of capital close to diesel.
- Plan electrified freight corridors together with charge point operators, manufacturers and financiers.
Put in your answer
Heavy truck emissions: Heavy trucks are 3-4% of the fleet but over a third of transport emissions.
Low e-truck uptake: Only around 800 heavy-duty electric trucks were sold in 2025.
- 2023Mains GS3 · Q15How EVs reduce carbon emissions and their benefits over combustion vehicles
- 2024Prelims Q37Exhaust pipe emission from hydrogen-powered fuel cell electric vehicles
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: New NITI Aayog platform for zero-emission trucks; lasting topic but thin facts for a statement.
Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.