Facilitating Zero Emission Deliveries for Postal Services

According to TERI’s model (2024), the trucking sector in India contributes around 33% of total transport-related emissions. India's road freight movement is projected to increase from 0.37 trillion tonnes km (TTKM) in 2000-01 to 6.17 TTKM by 2030-31 and 18.88 TTKM by 2050-51. It is estimated that there will be 31 million medium and heavy-duty trucks (MHDTs) and 21 million light-duty trucks (LDTs) by 2050-51, with projected GHG emission of 934 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, of which MHDTs are projected to contribute 90%.
India’s updated NDCs aim to cut down the emission intensity of GDP by 45% below 2005 levels by 2030, highlighting a strong commitment to sustainability. In November 2022, India submitted its Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy to UNFCCC, emphasizing the development of an integrated, efficient, inclusive low-carbon transport system, with a notable focus on electrification across various modes, signaling a push towards zero-emission freight vehicles.
A part of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Government of India (GoI), the Department of Post (DoP) plays a pivotal role in enabling post and parcel deliveries across the country. With about 1.6 lakh Post Offices, DoP has the largest postal network in the work consisting of 23 postal circles, with a widespread network of branch post offices, sub-post offices, and head post offices.
Introduced in 1944, Mail Motor Service (MMS) aims to streamline mail conveyance and optimize mid-mile haulage. It efficiently transports mail bags between post offices, rail mail service (RMS) offices, transit mail offices (TMO), air mail sorting offices, and seaports. Additionally, it handles cash conveyance and pickup/delivery of speed/bulk mail. With 103 units nationwide, MMS ensures efficient mail services across India.
The future of Indian postal services and logistics is shaped by emerging technologies and innovative strategies and electric vehicles play a very crucial role in paving the way to cleaner last-mile delivery. TERI has taken up a study for DoP to facilitate the transition roadmap for their MMS fleet to EVs. The key motive of the study was to understand the current fleet profile and characteristics of MMS operations and develop a phase-wise EV transition roadmap for DoP for six major cities.
This discussion delves into achieving zero-emission last-mile deliveries, highlighting their importance in enhancing sustainability and efficiency. Through the presentation of the study, sharing best practices, and examining policy frameworks and financing mechanisms, we aim to motivate and enable cities to proactively transition towards zero-emission last-mile postal and logistics deliveries.
This study addresses on-ground realities and challenges, offering solutions that can serve as a guiding document for both developing and developed countries in planning target-based approaches for their postal delivery operations.