Gujarat Aims to Power Heavy Trucks with Cleaner Liquefied Natural Gas

The Gujarat government is planning to establish liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuel stations along the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) and major highways in the state. The pilot project aims to boost cleaner freight transport and cut emissions by promoting the use of LNG as a substitute for diesel in heavy-duty vehicles.

Gujarat is already India's LNG hub, accounting for nearly 66% of the country's total LNG terminal capacity, with four terminals at Dahej, Hazira, Mundra, and Chhara having a combined capacity of around 38 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA). The proposed fuel stations will cater primarily to heavy commercial vehicles, which can run up to 1,000 km on a single fill-up.

LNG-powered trucks offer performance comparable to diesel while reducing operating costs by 10% to 20% per kilometre. They also reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 15% to 30% and nitrogen oxide emissions, contributing to better air quality. The Gujarat government plans to float tenders for the pilot project soon.