Ashok Leyland, the flagship company of the Hinduja Group and a major commercial vehicle manufacturer, in collaboration with the Centre of Excellence for Zero Emission Trucking (CoEZET) at IIT Madras, has launched the ‘GET ZET – Electric Truck Awareness to Acceptance’ initiative in Chennai. The nationwide programme will cover 40 cities between September 2026 and February 2027 to build awareness and confidence around battery electric trucks and support the transition to zero-emission freight transportation.
The initiative will cover logistics hubs and industrial corridors across Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. The programme will bring together fleet owners, logistics operators, financiers, load providers, infrastructure partners, policymakers and industry experts. The events will focus on practical discussions around the adoption of electric commercial vehicles, including operating requirements, charging infrastructure, financing and other aspects of the emerging zero-emission trucking ecosystem.
Participants will also have an opportunity to experience Ashok Leyland’s electric mobility solutions. The company’s BOSS Electric truck, along with a charger setup, will be showcased during the events to demonstrate the vehicle and charging ecosystem. The programme will include awareness sessions, product demonstrations and interactions with stakeholders involved in commercial freight operations.
Shenu Agarwal, MD & CEO, Ashok Leyland, said: “The transition to zero-emission mobility will be defined not just by the maturity of technology, but by the confidence of the users to adopt it at scale. At Ashok Leyland, we believe the best way to build that confidence is by taking electric trucking closer to the people who will use and enable it. Through ‘GET ZET – Electric Truck Awareness to Acceptance’, in collaboration with Centre of Excellence for Zero Emission Trucking (CoEZET), IIT Madras, we are bringing the electric truck technology to 40 cities, creating opportunities for customers and stakeholders to experience its real-world potential first-hand. This is a step towards making electric mobility more accessible, practical and ready for the future of India’s freight ecosystem.”
Prof Manu Santhanam, Dean (ICSR), Indian Institute of Technology Madras, said: “CoEZET, IIT Madras has been working towards the adoption of zero-emission trucks since 2022, with a vision of achieving 100% ZET penetration by Viksit Bharat 2047. Our work spans policy, technology, skilling and outreach. The current Outreach Acceptance Initiative builds on our earlier awareness activities across hundreds of locations and focuses on enabling stakeholders to experience, evaluate and build confidence in battery electric trucks, as we move towards the next phase of adoption.” He added that hands-on trial rides and direct interactions would help stakeholders understand the driving experience of electric trucks and address concerns among drivers and operators.
The 40-city programme is part of the wider effort by Ashok Leyland and CoEZET to engage stakeholders across the commercial vehicle ecosystem and support greater understanding of battery electric trucking. By taking demonstrations to major freight and industrial locations, the initiative will provide customers and other stakeholders with direct exposure to electric truck technology and its operating environment.
Ashok Leyland, the flagship company of the Hinduja Group, is one of India’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers and among the largest bus and truck makers in the world. The company offers a wide range of medium and heavy commercial vehicles, light commercial vehicles, buses, defence vehicles and power solutions. With a strong manufacturing footprint, an extensive sales and service network, and a growing presence in international markets, Ashok Leyland serves customers across more than 50 countries. The company continues to invest in advanced technologies, alternative fuel solutions and electric mobility to support sustainable and efficient transportation.
