Truck manufacturers are gearing up to meet the government regulation of air-conditioned driver cabins. But, this will come at a price – with 0.5 to 2 per cent increase in production cost depending upon the model. It will also hurt owners of smaller fleet.

The Centre has mandated that, from June 8, trucks with capacities ranging between 7.5 tonnes and 55 tonnes should have AC cabins.

Ashok Leyland’s premium range heavy duty trucks come with AC, and this will now be provided across all ranges, the company’s President and Head of M&HCV, Sanjeev Kumar, said. The rate of increase will be 1 to 1.5 per cent depending on model configurations, segment and application, he told businessline. This will improve the overall retention of drivers, he said.

At least 15 to 20 per cent of the commercial vehicle industry has already moved to AC, which will improve drivers’ productivity as they spend a major part of their life in trucks. “We are talking of vehicle utilisation of 7,000 to 8,000 km per month now. This will be increased to 15,000 to 20,000 per month, Kumar added.

Higher productivity

Tata Motors last week announced the launch of factory-fitted AC systems across its entire truck range. Rajesh Kaul, Vice President and Business Head – Trucks, Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles, said that the introduction of AC cabins marks a significant step towards building a comfortable working environment for drivers, enabling higher productivity.

Girish Wagh, Executive Director, Tata Motors, recently told analysts that the cost impact on the biggest vehicle could be 0.5 per cent to 0.6 per cent, and 1 per cent to 1.2 per cent for intermediate light commercial vehicles. “We do not just comply with the regulations, but always come up with some value enhancements. The product makes sense for customers,” he said.

A spokesperson for Mahindra & Mahindra said currently all trucks in the HCV and ILCV categories (N3 and N2) are manufactured with AC cabins, as AC fitment regulation has been mandated since June 8, 2025. The increase in MRP due to AC fitment across the industry ranges from 1 to 2 per cent, and varies across HCV and ILCV categories.

Companies like Bharat Benz, Eicher and Volvo have already moved to AC vehicles, said a source.

More running time

The move, however, has drawn mixed reactions from truckers and fleet owners.

Sachin JKS Haritash, Director of the Delhi-based Chetak Group, a fleet operator said the owners can manage the average running cost and give comfort for drivers in the long run. Drivers will get the benefits of better driving as well as health, he said.

GR Shanmugappa, Chairman of All India Motor Transport Congress, opposing AC in trucks, says vehicles largely run in temperatures between 20 and 36 degrees and drivers adjust accordingly. “Most drivers smoke in the cabin multiple times while driving. This cannot be done in AC. They need to stop for a smoke, which will lead to additional running time,” he said. ACs will only make the drivers sleep, he added.

P Sundarraj, Managing Director of the Tiruchi-based Subham Freight Carriers India Private Ltd, a large fleet operator, said AC cabins are necessary as it would take the industry to the next level. There will be minimal increase in the operation cost that owners can bear, he added.

Ground zero

However, Mohan, a single truck owner in Namakkal, said the introduction of ACs in vehicles will likely erode his income. “I am already operating on wafer thin margin. There will be vehicles in the market with ACs and without ACs, and both getting the same freight. How can I ask the client for additional freight because my vehicle is AC,” he added.

Harpal Singh, a driver-cum-owner from Mumbai, who was in Chennai, was not very enthusiastic about an AC cabin either. “We will only switch it off as it will consume extra fuel,” he said.

Published on June 12, 2025