Nitin Gadkari’s decision to introduce AC inside all trucks from 2025 also poses several challenges.
Union minister of road transport and highways, Nitin Gadkari, raised a proposal mandating all trucks made in India to come with air-conditioned cabins from 2025 to reduce driver fatigue. The price of trucks could go up once the mandate comes into effect. Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV) says the productivity of drivers will improve with air-conditioned truck cabins.
While global players in the Indian market such as Volvo and Scania offer trucks with air conditioning (AC), Indian truck makers are yet to offer it with all their models. However, most automobile manufacturers do offer blower-based systems though they are not as effective as an AC.
Automakers also say the installation of AC will increase the price of the vehicle. Volvo Eicher Commercial Vehicles (VECV) MD & CEO Vinod Aggarwal, has reportedly said, “Introducing AC cabins can hike costs by Rs.30,000-Rs.50,000 depending on the truck’s size and model. Companies will also have to change the drivetrain and increase engine power to install AC.”
Nitin Gadkari Comments:
“Before coming to this event today, I have signed the file that mandates air conditioning in truck driver compartments. We must ensure that people who drive the trucks are well taken care of,” said Nitin Gadkari at an event called ‘Desh Chaalak’ organised by Mahindra Logistics.
“Drivers in India operate vehicles in harsh temperatures of 43 to 47 degrees, hence, we must imagine the condition of drivers. I was keen to introduce the AC cabin after I became a minister. But some people opposed it saying the cost of trucks will go up. I have signed the file that all truck cabins will be AC cabins,” he said at the event.
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Impact Of This Mandate:
The mandate to introduce AC in driver cabins is a positive move for many, but, integrating AC into trucks can bring in new challenges like more maintenance. Trucks are usually operated in the most challenging conditions wherein dust and debris kick up, and using AC in those conditions could result in regular change of filters and other components which will increase service costs.
Apart from the maintenance, using AC while hauling goods could result in more engine load and lower mileage. Due to more fuel consumption, the operators could end up paying more. An increase in fuel consumption could also result in higher freight costs.
However, having AC inside the cabin of a truck could improve driver productivity and thereby profitability of logistics and the operator through a faster turnaround time. Therefore, some automakers in India are now leaning towards offering AC in driver cabins while others have integrated AC as a standard feature.