V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT-M, at the event held at the IIT Madras Research Park on Monday. | Photo Credit: Special arrangement

The Indian Institute of Technology-Madras (IIT-M) has launched a truck driver rating app to provide real-time assessment of their driving behaviour on safety and energy efficiency. It has also launched a hyper-local awareness drive for truck drivers. The initiatives are aimed at achieving India’s goal of having 100% zero-emission truck fleet through truck electrification.

Trucks represent only 5% of India’s vehicle fleet but consume nearly 65% of diesel, resulting in high pollution and fuel consumption cost. The institute’s Centre of Excellence for Zero Emission Trucking (CoEZET) launched the two projects at the ‘Get ZET Shifting Gears to Zero Emission Trucking’ event held at the IIT Madras Research Park on Monday. 

The driver rating mobile app includes anticipative alerts designed to inform users of inadequate driving behaviour relative to the static context of road infrastructure. Diesel truck drivers, who drive for a minimum of 4,000 km per month, will be enrolled. The effort is to encourage and inculcate safe and efficient driving behaviour among truck drivers.

An outreach project will be conducted to raise awareness on zero emission trucks among drivers, helpers, mechanics, fuel pump operators, body fabricators, and small fleet operators. The project will cover over 200 locations directly through physical events and include States that have a large number of medium and heavy-duty trucks.

V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT-M, said the first step was to make stakeholders aware of different aspects of truck electrification — the trends, advantages, challenges, and technologies. “The idea is to build a strong relationship based on trust. Once that relationship is in place, we plan to engage with them to help them accept electrification and appreciate the benefits it will accrue for themselves, the country, and the world at large,” he said.