Freight Movement Flat In January 2026 Shriram Mobility Bulletin

By Jony Shekhawat | Published Date : February 08, 2026

Early Rabi harvest and steady rentals keep trucking activity stable despite flat overall freight movement.

Freight and logistics activity in India remained mostly flat in January 2026. This came after a busy festive quarter. As per the Shriram Mobility Bulletin, the trucking industry stayed active mainly because the Rabi harvest started early. Due to this, agricultural goods were moved across states using heavy trucks.

Truck rentals on major routes did not change much compared to December. Compared to last year, rentals were higher by 5% to 12%. Demand was visible, though it stayed moderate. Long routes were still handled by 12-wheeler, 14-wheeler, and 16-wheeler trucks, largely moving food grains and bulk material.

Delhi–Mumbai Route Performs Better

Table of Contents

1. Delhi–Mumbai Route Performs Better

2. Light Commercial Vehicles See Steady Demand

3. Bus Segment Slows Down

4. EV Sales Continue To Grow

5. Infra Spending Helps Commercial Sector

6. Industry View

7. About Shriram Mobility Bulletin

Read More: FASTag Annual Pass Touches 50 Lakh Users in Just Six Months

The Delhi–Mumbai–Delhi route showed the highest growth of 12% YoY in January. Other important routes like Delhi–Kolkata, Mumbai–Chennai, Bengaluru–Mumbai, and Kolkata–Guwahati reported growth close to 10% YoY. Overall, route-wise movement stayed normal and stable.

Light Commercial Vehicles See Steady Demand

Demand in the light commercial trucks segment remained steady. Last-mile delivery needs supported vehicle usage in cities and nearby areas. Mini trucks continued to be used widely for short-distance transport. Some fleet owners also showed interest in electric mini trucks, mainly to control fuel and running costs.

Bus Segment Slows Down

Retail sales in the buses segment declined during January 2026. Fleet replacement was slow, and many operators postponed new purchases. Normal bus sales were under pressure. However, demand for electric buses continued in limited numbers, especially in cities where government projects are active.

EV Sales Continue To Grow

Electric truck sales remained strong across segments. Electric passenger car sales increased due to more models being available. Electric two-wheelers also sold well, mainly because they are used for daily city travel.

Infra Spending Helps Commercial Sector

Spending on highways, logistics parks, and urban infrastructure continued during the month. Because of this, sales of commercial construction equipment rose by 22%. Earth-moving equipment sales increased by 44%. This supported transport and freight activity.

Industry View

Sudarshan Holla, Joint MD and COO – Commercial Vehicles, Shriram Finance, said that truck rentals remained flat in January after good activity in the last quarter. He said vehicle movement may improve near ports and export hubs in the coming months. Rising temperatures may also help logistics in hilly areas. However, some border-related issues are still affecting goods movement.

About Shriram Mobility Bulletin

The Shriram Mobility Bulletin is a monthly report by Shriram Finance Limited. It uses data collected from fleet operators and vehicle dealers across India to track trends in freight, logistics, and the automotive sector.

Also Read: VECV Eyes Charging Partnerships to Support Growing Electric Bus Ecosystem

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Frequently Asked Questions on Commercial Vehicles

Q1. What is the average mileage of commercial trucks in India?

Ans. Mileage of commercial trucks depends on load and route. Light commercial vehicles usually deliver around 12–16 kmpl, while heavy trucks like 12-wheelers and 16-wheelers deliver around 3–5 kmpl under full-load conditions.

Q2. Which engine types are commonly used in commercial vehicles?

Ans. Most commercial vehicles use diesel engines due to better torque and fuel efficiency. However, CNG engines are popular in city transport, and electric powertrains are slowly increasing, especially in mini trucks and buses.

Q3. What is the loading capacity of trucks and mini trucks?

Ans. Mini trucks generally carry between 700 kg and 1.5 tonnes. Medium commercial trucks handle around 7–16 tonnes, while heavy trucks can carry over 25 tonnes depending on axle configuration.

Q4. How much do commercial vehicles cost in India?

Ans. Prices vary by segment. Mini trucks start from around ₹5–7 lakh, light commercial vehicles range between ₹8–15 lakh, and heavy trucks can cost anywhere from ₹25 lakh to over ₹50 lakh. Electric commercial vehicles usually cost more upfront but offer lower running costs.

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