Starting in 2025, all truck cabins will be required to have air conditioning, offering much-needed comfort to drivers who endure sweaty conditions during their 11-12 hour shifts. The challenging work environment and long hours on the road are often cited as major factors contributing to driver fatigue and accidents.

Nitin Gadkari, the Minister for Road Transport & Highways, stated, "In our country, some drivers spend 12 or 14 hours behind the wheel, while in other countries, there are restrictions on the number of hours bus and truck drivers can be on duty. Our drivers operate vehicles in temperatures ranging from 43 to 47 degrees Celsius, and we must consider their conditions. I have been eager to introduce air-conditioned cabins since becoming the minister. However, some people opposed it, citing increased costs. Nevertheless, I have approved the decision that all truck cabins must have air conditioning." 

The proposal was initially put forward by the road transport ministry in 2016.

Welcoming the government’s decision, Vinod Aggarwal, MD and CEO, Volvo Eicher Commercial Vehicles, said, “This reflects a progressive approach towards enhancing driver ergonomics and comfort thereby facilitating improved road safety and efficient logistics. As a leading manufacturer in the Indian truck industry, Eicher recognises the crucial role that drivers play and have been offering air-conditioned cabins for over a decade. Air-conditioned cabins provide much-needed respite to truck drivers who keep our nation’s economy ticking in tough work conditions and extreme temperatures during long hours on the road. Volvo Group, our joint venture partner, has been focused on enhancing truck driver productivity for many decades, with trucks that set the industry standard for ergonomic, air-conditioned and safe cabins.”

He added, “Implementing air-conditioned cabins may result in some additional costs, with estimates ranging from Rs 30,000 to Rs 50,000, depending on the size of the vehicle. In some models, particularly light commercial vehicles, OEMs may need to consider drivetrain changes and increased engine power to accommodate AC cabins. Eicher offers one of the most advanced ranges of vehicles in the industry with a strong belief that driver comfort enhances truck productivity and thereby reduces the total cost of operation significantly. Together with improvements in highway infrastructure, improving vehicle emission and safety, this mandate is another positive step towards transforming the trucking industry in India by addressing one of the most important stakeholders in the logistics system - truck drivers. This will also encourage more people to take up truck driving as a profession.”

According to estimates, the additional expenses for equipping trucks with air-conditioned cabins would range from Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000 per truck.

While high-end trucks manufactured by global companies like Volvo and Scania already come equipped with air-conditioned cabins, most Indian manufacturers have yet to adopt this feature. Even Scania and Volvo offer AC cabins only in their higher end trucks.

The cabins of BharatBenz heavy-duty trucks are already in compliance with ECE R29-03 standards. Tata Motors also provides air-conditioned cabins as an optional feature, but they are prepared to establish it as a standard offering for their entire truck lineup once the new mandate is finalised.