Adoption of cleaner trucks can reduce diesel use in mining by 30%, emissions by 25%: FIMI
New Delhi: Switching to cleaner fuels such as electric vehicles (EVs), liquefied natural gas (LNG), and biodiesel in India's mining sector could reduce emissions by up to 25 per cent and diesel consumption by 30 per cent , according to a study by the Federation of Indian Mineral Industries (FIMI). The study highlights the potential of alternative vehicle technologies in reducing environmental impact in non-coal mineral extraction and handling operations.
The report, prepared in collaboration with the Ministry of Mines and the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), assesses the adoption of low-emission heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) for bulk material movement in mining. The recommendations are based on site assessments conducted at 10 non-coal mining locations across Odisha, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh, covering over 12,500 hours of equipment operation.
The study suggests a phased adoption of technologies like LNG trucks, hybrid electric retrofits, and off-highway battery electric vehicles (BEVs) over a five-year roadmap. 'Cleaner vehicle adoption in mining offers a clear opportunity to decarbonise the sector while improving air quality and reducing fossil fuel reliance,' said FIMI officials during the report release.
In its analysis, FIMI found that diesel is the dominant fuel in mining logistics, contributing significantly to sectoral emissions. Mining contributes 10 per cent of India's industrial CO₂ emissions, with diesel accounting for over 95 per cent of fuel use in load and haul operations. Across major commodities like limestone, iron ore, bauxite, and manganese, bulk movement relies heavily on 60- to 100-tonne heavy-duty trucks, with operating lifecycles extending up to 15 years.
'Targeted replacement of ageing diesel fleets with low-emission vehicles like LNG or electric trucks can reduce tailpipe emissions, cut operational costs, and support India's net-zero goals,' the report noted. Hybrid retrofits, where electric drivetrains are installed in diesel trucks, can serve as an intermediary technology, especially in areas with limited charging infrastructure.
The roadmap recommends LNG trucks for long-haul operations and BEVs for short-haul material movement within mines. It also highlights the feasibility of running BEVs and hybrids in round-the-clock operations by leveraging battery swapping and regenerative braking technologies.
The study notes that upfront capital costs, infrastructure gaps, and technology readiness are current barriers, but adds that total cost of ownership (TCO) for cleaner vehicles is expected to fall with scale, policy incentives, and growing availability of local manufacturing.
It proposes pilot projects to be initiated within a year, with full-scale roll-out of cleaner trucks in the sector by 2029. The adoption model includes a combination of retrofit kits, new OEM vehicles, and public-private infrastructure partnerships for LNG refuelling and EV charging.
FIMI also called for inclusion of mining logistics in India's National Electric Mobility Mission and access to FAME or PLI-linked incentives to help fleet operators offset transition costs.
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