How INOXCVA is powering India’s transition to cleaner freight mobility
India’s transportation sector stands at a critical juncture. As the nation accelerates efforts to reduce carbon emissions and move toward energy security, LNG vehicles in India are emerging as a promising alternative to traditional diesel-powered freight. Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) offers a lower-emission, cost-effective fuel source, particularly well-suited for medium and heavy commercial vehicles, where range, power, and reliability are paramount.
Among the key enablers of this clean fuel shift is INOXCVA, the country’s largest manufacturer of cryogenic equipment. With a robust portfolio spanning LNG storage, transport, refuelling, and vehicle-mounted fuel systems, INOXCVA is helping shape the future of transporting LNG for commercial and heavy vehicles in India.
Why LNG for Commercial Transport?
LNG is natural gas cooled to -162°C, which reduces its volume by approximately 600 times, making it easier to store and transport. For medium and heavy commercial vehicles, LNG offers several benefits:
- Lower emissions: Up to 20–30% reduction in CO₂ and virtually no sulfur or particulate matter emissions.
- Longer range: LNG-powered trucks can travel up to 1,000 km on a single fill, matching diesel performance.
- Cost efficiency: LNG prices are typically 10–20% lower than diesel on a per-kilometre basis.
- Energy security: India is aiming to raise the share of natural gas in its energy mix to 15% by 2030, and LNG vehicles in Indiaplay a crucial role in that roadmap.
The challenge lies not in the viability of LNG itself, but in building the infrastructure and systems to enable its adoption at scale. This is where INOXCVA steps in.
INOXCVA: The Backbone of LNG Infrastructure
INOXCVA (INOX India Ltd.) has decades of experience in cryogenic technologies. It offers integrated solutions across the LNG value chain, from large-scale storage tanks and mobile fueling systems to LNG fuel tanks for trucks and dispensers.
Their expertise is critical in ensuring that transporting LNG for commercial and heavy vehicles is safe, reliable, and scalable across India.
LNG Fuel Tanks for Trucks: Taking Clean Energy On the Road
One of INOXCVA’s standout innovations is its LNG fuel tanks for automotive trucks, specially designed for heavy-duty applications. Some of the highlights of this LNG Fuel Tank are:
- IATF 16949 certified, ensuring global quality standards
- Engineered to provide robust insulationfor safe cryogenic storage
- Available in sizes ranging from 200 to 1,200 litres
- Built to integrate seamlesslyinto truck designs, minimising space and weight trade-offs
These tanks power LNG vehicles in India across long-distance logistics, mining, cement transport, and more, offering a cleaner substitute to diesel without compromising power or range.
Mobile Fuelers & Dispensers: Taking LNG to the Highways
Adoption of LNG hinges on infrastructure. INOXCVA addresses this through two critical innovations:
1. LNG Mobile Fueler
This self-contained refuelling system includes onboard cryogenic storage, LNG pumps, vaporiser systems, and safety units. It allows fleets and industrial clients to set up mobile refuelling stations without needing fixed infrastructure. Ideal for remote sites and early adoption corridors, it supports flexibility and reach for LNG vehicles in India.
2. LNG/LCNG Fueling Stations
INOXCVA also provides end-to-end LNG and LCNG fueling station systems – permanent installations capable of filling trucks and buses reliably. These stations are compliant with global safety standards (including ISO 16924 and PESO certifications) and have already been deployed at major terminals like Petronet LNG’s Dahej and Kochi.
Such infrastructure is crucial in creating a viable ecosystem for transporting LNG for commercial and heavy vehicles, especially on long-haul routes like Mumbai-Delhi, Chennai-Bangalore, and Ahmedabad-Mundra.
ISO Tanks and Mobile Storage: Bridging the Supply Gap
To support pan-India deployment, LNG must be moved from terminals to users safely. INOXCVA manufactures ISO-certified cryogenic LNG tanks in 10/20/40 ft containers that are designed for multimodal transport via road, rail, or sea.
Additionally, their “King” and “Queen” mobile LNG tanks act as mobile storage and refuelling points, ideal for industrial customers, fleet yards, or locations awaiting permanent stations. These systems strengthen the supply chain for LNG vehicles in India, ensuring that fuel is always available when and where it’s needed.
The LNG Growth Story in India
India’s Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) projects natural gas demand to more than double by 2040. As part of this vision:
- Over 1,000 LNG stations are expected to come up across India
- More than 500,000 LNG vehicles in Indiaare projected to hit the road by 2040
- The long-haul freight sector is seen as the largest contributor to LNG fuel adoption
In this context, INOXCVA’s cryogenic technology is not just supporting the current transition; it is enabling future scalability. Their systems are already in use by major logistics and energy companies, helping validate the case for LNG in real-world operations.
Challenges and the Road Ahead
While the outlook is promising, challenges remain:
- Initial capital costs for LNG trucks and tanks are higher than those for diesel
- Refuelling infrastructure is still in the early stages of development
- Training and safety awareness are critical for handling LNG systems
Yet with government support, favourable fuel economics, and companies like INOXCVA providing dependable hardware, the momentum is real. For fleets looking to decarbonise without losing operational flexibility, LNG is fast becoming the fuel of choice.
Conclusion: Driving Towards a Cleaner Future
LNG offers a powerful bridge between today’s diesel-heavy transport sector and tomorrow’s zero-emission future. With superior range, lower emissions, and growing infrastructure, LNG vehicles in India are on track to revolutionise medium and heavy-duty freight.
As a pioneer and trusted partner, INOXCVA is ensuring that this transition is not just aspirational but operational. From vehicle-mounted tanks to mobile fuelers, cryogenic trailers to LNG stations, their ecosystem simplifies every aspect of transporting LNG for commercial and heavy vehicles.
The result? Cleaner air, reduced fuel costs, and a future where India’s highways run on cleaner energy, powered by innovation, and enabled by INOXCVA.