The SCALE Coalition
Sustainable Climate Action through Logistics Electrification
The SCALE Coalition is an industry‑led initiative convened by INTENT Platform to accelerate India’s transition to electric freight. Designed as a demand aggregation and deployment platform, SCALE brings together leading shippers, fleet users, logistics service providers, financiers, and technology partners to make electric trucking commercially viable at scale. Drawing on India’s proven experience of scaling electric buses, the coalition unlocks bankable, standardised, and replicable models for electric freight—delivering green freight at or below diesel cost, reducing Scope 3 emissions, and strengthening logistics competitiveness across India, all without operational disruption.
WHY SCALE?
India’s road freight sector is the backbone of the economy, moving the majority of domestic goods—but it is also one of the most emissions-intensive segments of transport. Despite rapid progress in other clean mobility segments, electric trucks remain at a nascent stage due to high upfront costs, fragmented demand, and perceived risks. SCALE addresses these barriers head-on by pooling demand, standardising contracts, and reducing risk for all stakeholders.
70%
of domestic freight moves by road
4.1 million
trucks power India’s logistics economy
of ground transport emissions come from freight
~120 million Tonnes CO₂
emitted annually just by road freight
60%
₹14.3 L CR
projected road freight market by 2028
<500
heavy‑duty electric trucks on Indian roads today
INTENT launched the SCALE Coalition on 29th August 2025 with Honorable Minister of Road Transport and Highways - Shri Nitin Gadkari
The SCALE Value Proposition
Access electric freight solutions at the same or lower total cost of ownership compared to diesel
Green Freight at Costs of Diesel or Lower
Cut indirect emissions across your supply chain in a measurable and credible way. GHG intensity of product reduces at no additional cost.
Meet Decarbonization Targets
Transition freight operations without compromising reliability, service levels, or growth plans.
Reduction in Scope 3 Emissions
First Mover Coalition
Raise industry benchmarks and shape the future of zero-emission freight in India.
Recognition and Leadership
Gain visibility and credibility through participation in a nationally and internationally recognised initiative.
Proven At Scale - The INTENT Advantage.
SCALE is informed by the success of India’s national e‑Bus program, designed and deployed by the INTENT team.
What worked in buses — and now applied to trucks:
Demand aggregation across states and operators
One standardized long‑term contract (with flexible specs)
42+ contract terms restructured to improve bankability
Competitive discovery of lowest‑cost services
Impact achieved with e-Buses:
30,000+ Buses contracted
12,000+ Buses on the road
World’s largest electric bus procurement program
27% Lower prices than diesel without subsidy
These same market‑making principles now power SCALE for electric trucks.
The SCALE Deployment Model
Phase I: Catalytic Deployment (Up to 50 Trucks)
INTENT will deploy up to 50 heavy‑duty electric trucks (≈55‑ton GVW) under long‑term contracts.
Typical Phase I parameters:
Freight rate: same as or marginally lower than diesel
Contract tenure: 7-10 years
Truck Utilization: 5,500–12,000 km per month
Route distance: up to 250 km
Use cases: mine‑to‑plant, plant‑to‑warehouse, hub‑to‑hub
Turnaround Time (TAT): guaranteed by Shipper
Charging: shipper‑provided sites preferred
Routes that are commercially viable are deployed immediately.
Phase II: Deployment at Scale (Up to 500 Trucks)
Based on Phase I data, SCALE aggregates demand for up to 500 electric trucks.
Phase II unlocks deeper cost efficiencies through:
Higher vehicle utilization
Capex reduction via bulk procurement and retrofits
Return‑load monetization
Reduced energy costs through renewables and subscriptions
All aggregated routes are competitively auctioned to discover the lowest‑cost electric freight solutions.
Join The SCALE Coalition
SCALE is currently inviting companies across: Mining | Steel | Cement | Ports | Heavy Industrial Logistics:
Large shippers and cargo owners with significant road freight demand
Companies with Scope 3 decarbonisation commitments
Industry leaders looking to shape and de-risk the electric freight market
Why join:
Electric freight at diesel‑equivalent or lower cost
De‑risked early adoption through pilots
Leadership in shaping India’s electric freight future