Policy Framework for Zero-Emission Trucks Adoption at Major Ports in India

India’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) has introduced the Harit Sagar — Green Port Guidelines, setting a target for 50 percent of port equipment and vehicles to be electric across the 12 Major Ports by 2030. Building on these targets, there is an urgent need to transition to zero emission trucks (ZETs) at these ports. This report outlines a phased policy framework to drive that transition through strategic planning and market development, fiscal and non-fiscal measures, infrastructure development, and capacity-building that can help reshape goods movement at Major Ports into cleaner, more efficient systems.

The report proposes a phased approach to implementation of the above measures. Near-term priorities suggest a focus on foundational actions such as aggregating demand, deploying targeted incentives, facilitating access to favorable electricity rates, and building technical expertise among operators. In the medium and long term, the emphasis shifts toward institutionalizing ZET requirements within contracts and strengthening the underlying power infrastructure to support scaled deployment. This phased pathway builds confidence in the near term and ensures accelerated, large-scale ZET adoption in the medium term.