Flipkart tests long-haul EV trucks on Delhi-Jaipur route

Flipkart has started a pilot to test long-haul EV trucks for freight logistics on the Delhi-Jaipur route.

The Indian ecommerce firm is working with Golden Aero Logistics and using a retrofitted Kalyani truck for the project.

The initiative aims to evaluate if EVs can be used for medium-distance deliveries, looking at factors such as vehicle performance, energy efficiency, and turnaround times.

The pilot will help the company determine whether electric trucks are a viable option beyond last-mile delivery.

🔗 Source: Press Trust of India

🧠 Food for thought

Implications, context, and why it matters.

Delhi-Jaipur corridor has sparse public data on high-power charging for heavy trucks

National Highway 48 (NH48) between Delhi and Jaipur ran a 2022 test under the National Highways for Electric Vehicles (NHEV) pilot program 1. Stations are planned every 60 km, which can strain tight freight schedules that need multiple charges 1.
NHEV plans 5,500 km of electric highway corridors with 264 stations 2. The 2022 trial covered bus fare structures but did not publish uptime or kilowatt (kW) charging benchmarks for heavy trucks on this route 2.
Flipkart ran a long-haul pilot with a retrofitted electric truck. Public sources here do not detail standardized truck-grade charging on Delhi-Jaipur, while Delhi-Agra had a 30 minute emergency backup feature in 2020 2. This hints that custom solutions may be needed.

Charging depot builders can act on route validation before wide EV truck adoption

Watch pilot outcomes to time high-power depot builds. The Annuity Hybrid E-Mobility (AHEM) model uses a split of 30% public sector / 30% private sector / 30% citizen investors / 10% state e-highway operators 2.
Third-party operators can apply for station allocations because no license is needed if land is available on national highways 3. NHEV targets Indian rupees (INR) 5,000 crore in project investment, where a crore equals 10 million 1.
Developers can prioritize truck amenities like logistics hubs and longer dwell-time services for drivers and vehicles during charging, which NHEV integrates in third-generation stations 3.