• Flagged off by Hon’ble
Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari
• Completed extensive
trials in Indian conditions with Delhivery Ltd between their Nagpur and
Bhiwandi hubs
• Aligned with Government
of India’s Gati Shakti master plan
Hon’ble Minister of Road
Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari, today flagged off India’s first
Road Train in Nagpur. Developed by Volvo Trucks and operated by Delhivery Ltd.,
this pioneering solution marks a new era for long-haul transportation,
enhancing efficiency and capacity in the logistics industry.
The Road Train concept was
formally incorporated into regulations in 2020, allowing for vehicle lengths up
to 25.25 meters. A Road Train consists of a tractor unit towing two or more
trailers, significantly increasing cargo capacity.
Volvo Truck’s Road Train
features the industry-leading Volvo FM 420 4x2 tractor, a 24-ft containerized
intermediate trailer, and a 44-ft semi-trailer, delivering a combined cargo
volume of 144 cubic meters—50% higher than standard semi-trailers. Following
successful completion of rigorous testing and trials, Volvo FM 420 4X2 Road
Train is certified by MoRTH and ARAI for operation between Delhivery hubs of
Nagpur and Bhiwandi.
The Volvo FM 420 4X2 Road
Train is equipped with advanced safety features, including Electronic Braking
System (EBS) and Electronic Stability Program (ESP), 360-degree camera system,
self-steerable axle on the trailer, dashboard load monitor, downhill cruise
control, stretch brake for enhanced stability and control to name a few.
Commenting on the launch, Vinod Aggarwal, MD & CEO, VE Commercial
Vehicles Ltd., stated, "The Volvo FM 420 4X2 road train is another
pioneering introduction by Volvo Trucks for the Indian market. Designed to
enhance the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of road transport, it aligns
perfectly with ongoing transformation in Indian logistics and the government’s
Gati Shakti master plan. Volvo Trucks India is grateful to Shri Nitin
Gadkariji, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and ARAI for championing
such advancements, and we remain committed to bringing more global innovations
to India."
Suraj
Saharan, Co-founder and Chief People’s Officer at Delhivery,
said, "We're excited to further strengthen our partnership with Volvo
Trucks as we advance towards high-efficiency, sustainable long-haul logistics.
From adopting tractor-trailers to LNG and electric trucks, Volvo has been a key
enabler in our journey. Road trains are a natural next step, perfectly suited
to our high-volume line-haul operations. With India's expressway network
expanding rapidly, we look forward to scaling this innovation across more
routes in the near future."
Emphasizing Volvo Trucks’ unwavering commitment to safety and efficiency, B. Dinakar, EVP & Business Head, Volvo Trucks India, remarked, "Beyond productivity and cost-effectiveness, our focus is on the safe integration of this pioneering solution on Indian roads. I am grateful to the ministry for having certified this path-breaking solution. We will now work to implement this highly efficient and safe transport solution in other suitable sectors."
