Truck rentals rose year on year on all major routes in October 2026, led by Delhi-Kolkata-Delhi at 13%, as festive demand lifted vehicle sales, says Shriram bulletin.
Key points
- Truck Rentals Rise on Festive Demand in October 2026
- Rentals Up on All Major Routes
- Commercial Vehicle Sales Trends
- EV Sales, Diesel and FASTag
- BS IV Entry Ban Confusion and Outlook
Festive-season freight movement kept truck rentals higher in October 2026, according to the latest Shriram Mobility Bulletin. Rentals were above last year's levels on every major route the bulletin tracks, and vehicle sales in several categories improved from September as Diwali approached.
Truck Rentals Rise on Festive Demand in October 2026
Table Of Content
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1. Truck Rentals Rise on Festive Demand in October 2026 |
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2.Rentals Up on All Major Routes |
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3. Commercial Vehicle Sales Trends |
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4.EV Sales, Diesel and FASTag |
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5. BS IV Entry Ban Confusion and Outlook |
The bulletin, published by Shriram Finance, combines freight and retail sales data from its network of fleet owners and dealers. Buyers who are planning to add capacity can see the available new trucks on TrucksBuses.
Rentals Up on All Major Routes
Truck rentals were higher year on year on all major routes in October. The Delhi-Kolkata-Delhi route recorded the highest growth at 13%, followed by Bengaluru-Mumbai-Bengaluru at 12% and Kolkata-Guwahati-Kolkata at 9%. Rentals on the other routes rose by 4% to 7%.
On a month-on-month basis, the Bengaluru-Mumbai-Bengaluru route increased by 2%, and Delhi-Chennai-Delhi rose by 1.4%.
Commercial Vehicle Sales Trends
Month-on-month, most commercial vehicle categories improved ahead of Diwali, while maxi cabs and buses slipped. Year-on-year comparisons were mixed because October 2025 was a high base when festive sales peaked. The table below shows the main commercial vehicle categories.
|
Category |
Month-on-month |
Year-on-year |
|
Three-wheeler goods vehicles |
Up 20% |
Up 25% |
|
Goods carriers |
Up 11% |
Marginally lower |
|
Commercial tractors |
Up 15% |
Down 24% |
|
Agricultural trailers |
Up 20% |
Down 11% |
|
Buses |
Down 2% |
Up 14% |
|
Maxi cabs |
Down 11% |
Not stated |
Three-wheeler goods vehicles had the strongest year-on-year growth among all categories. Small cargo operators can look at loaders like the Youdha EPOD G in the electric loading three-wheeler category on TrucksBuses. Bus sales were down 2% from September but 14% higher than a year ago, and operators planning purchases can browse the new buses listed on the site.
Outside commercial vehicles, two-wheeler sales rose 29% month on month, passenger cars rose 17% and construction equipment rose 25%, with a year-on-year rise of 21% for construction equipment. Motorcycles and scooters were down 28% year on year and motor cars down 15%.
EV Sales, Diesel and FASTag
Electric vehicle sales continued to grow year on year. Electric car sales rose 115%, electric three-wheeler sales rose 93% and electric two-wheeler sales rose 62%. Month on month, electric two-wheeler sales grew 8% and electric three-wheeler sales grew 5%. Readers looking at cargo or passenger options can see the electric 3-wheelers available on TrucksBuses.
Higher freight activity showed up in fuel use. Diesel consumption rose 20% from September, while petrol consumption rose 4%. Compared with last year, diesel was up 11.7% and petrol up 3.1%. FASTag transaction volumes rose 1% month on month and collection value rose 2.3%. Year on year, volumes were down 6% while collection value was up 9%.
BS IV Entry Ban Confusion and Outlook
Truck operators faced operational difficulties after the BS IV truck entry ban in the National Capital Region, which reportedly caused confusion at border checkpoints. Sudarshan Holla, Joint Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer for Commercial Vehicles at Shriram Finance, said festive-season despatches supported truck rental activity in October and that the momentum is expected to continue through the first fortnight of November. Operators who need to meet the NCR rules can look at the range of electric trucks listed on TrucksBuses, since electric vehicles are exempt from the restriction.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Which route saw the highest year-on-year rise in truck rentals in October 2026?
Ans. The Delhi-Kolkata-Delhi route recorded the highest year-on-year growth at 13%, followed by Bengaluru-Mumbai-Bengaluru at 12% and Kolkata-Guwahati-Kolkata at 9%.
Q2. How did goods carrier sales perform in October?
Ans. Goods carrier sales rose 11% month on month but were marginally lower than in October 2025.
Q3. Which commercial vehicle category grew the most year on year?
Ans. Three-wheeler goods vehicles recorded the highest year-on-year growth at 25%, followed by buses at 14%.
Q4. How much did diesel consumption increase?
Ans. Diesel consumption rose 20% month on month and 11.7% year on year in October.
Q5. What problem did truck operators face in the NCR?
Ans. The BS IV truck entry ban in the NCR reportedly caused confusion at border checkpoints and created operational challenges for operators.