This innovative hackathon is designed to encourage the development of groundbreaking business models for the integration of zero-emission trucks (ZETs) in India, tackling the country's critical economic and environmental issues.
The NITI GearShift Challenge calls on students, transportation service experts, academics, and researchers to craft innovative business models that confront the financial, technical, and operational hurdles in the adoption of electric trucks. The program has attracted involvement from e-FAST India knowledge partners, financial entities, and industry groups.
The hackathon will progress through two stages. In the first round, teams will present their preliminary business models focusing on a particular obstacle—technical, operational, or financial—accompanied by broad strategies and research. Selected teams from the first round will advance to the second, where they will elaborate on their business models with a detailed implementation plan, supported by both primary and secondary research. These proposals will receive guidance from industry experts to ensure they are viable and impactful.
India's freight industry is crucial to its economy, facilitating the delivery of goods to its population of over 1.4 billion. Given that road freight constitutes a significant 55 percent of India's annual diesel usage and nearly 40 percent of CO2 emissions from road transport, there is a pressing need to shift towards more sustainable practices.
The electrification of freight transport is a critical focus, as electric trucks present a significant opportunity to decrease emissions, enhance air quality, and bolster energy security. The GearShift Challenge represents a crucial step towards sustainable freight transport in India. By harnessing the creativity and knowledge of participants, the hackathon seeks to produce practical solutions that will expedite the adoption of zero-emission trucks, thereby benefiting both the economy and the environment.
