The 9th edition of the Commercial Vehicle Forum (CVF) concluded with resounding success in Pune, uniting over 500 senior industry stakeholders, 70 speakers, and 30+ partners for a powerful day of insights, networking, and recognition. With a sharp focus on policy, fleet transformation, sustainability, and cutting-edge technology, CVF reaffirmed its standing as India’s premier platform for the commercial vehicle and road transport ecosystem.
Hosted across two parallel tracks, Track 1 delved into Policy, Sustainability & Green Tech, while Track 2 focused on Fleets, Last-Mile, Connectivity, Drivers & Safety. Attendees were able to customise their learning journeys across diverse and highly relevant sessions.
The event commenced with a research presentation by Jinal Shah, Founder & CEO, Expandus Consulting, on “Driving the Next Decade of Transformation in India’s Commercial Vehicle Ecosystem”, followed by a keynote from Dr. Venkat Srinivas, Chairman and Business Head – Trucks, Buses & Construction Equipment, Mahindra Group. A compelling presentation on “Video Telematics 3.0 – Focus on Outcomes, Not on Features” by Krishna A G, Co-Founder, LightMetrics, set the tone for a day rich in strategic discussions.
The morning panel, moderated by Jinal Shah, featured leading voices including Anil Gitte (FM Logistic India), C S Vigneshwar (FADA), Kaushik Narayan (Leaptrucks), Reema Jogani (Reema Transport), Dr. Venkat Srinivas (Mahindra Group), and Sweta Agarwal (ZF Commercial Vehicle Control). Titled CV & Road Transport Industry: A Beacon for India’s Economic Growth, the session underscored the need for collaborative policy-making, digital transformation, and a unified commitment to sustainability. This was followed by a special address from the Chief Guest, Hon’ble Shri Pratap Sarnaik, Minister of Transport, Maharashtra.
A defining moment of CVF 2025 was the high-level interaction between key industry leaders and Hon’ble Shri Pratap Sarnaik. This strategic dialogue centred on accelerating innovation, driving sustainability, and shaping long-term growth in India’s transport ecosystem. The closed-door exchange included influential leaders such as Dr. Venkat Srinivas (Mahindra Group), Sachin Vasantrao Mahajan (FADA), Reema Kothari (Reema Transport Pvt Ltd), C S Vigneshwar (FADA New Delhi), Anand S (Tata Motors), Prasanna Patwardhan (Prasanna Purple), Rajeev Malik (Mahindra Group), and Khushboo Shinagare (Tropicool Car Gadgets Pvt. Ltd.), who came together to chart collaborative strategies for a greener, smarter, and more resilient future for India’s CV sector.
Highlights from Track Sessions
Track 1:
Moving Towards Vision 2030: Raising EV Penetration in the CV Ecosystem
Panelists examined the roadmap to accelerate electric vehicle adoption in the CV sector, addressing gaps in charging infrastructure, advancements in battery technology, and the financial incentives needed to drive large-scale electrification across long-haul and last-mile fleets.
Regulatory Roadmap for the CV Industry: Supporting Multiple Dimensions of Transformation
Speakers discussed evolving vehicle safety standards, emission norms, scrappage policies, and digital compliance. Emphasis was placed on the need for a stable, transparent regulatory framework to encourage industry investment and innovation.
Scope of Alternative Fuels: Hydrogen, LNG, CNG
This session highlighted the potential of clean fuels, discussing operational viability, scalability, and infrastructure readiness for hydrogen, LNG, and CNG. Speakers emphasised the importance of regionalised fuel strategies tailored to specific logistics needs.
Trucks, Buses & Construction Equipment, Mahindra Group
Trends in the Off-Highway Sector in India
A deep dive into how automation, electrification, and telematics are reshaping the off-highway segment — including mining, agriculture, and construction. The session showcased the emergence of application-specific CVs designed for Indian terrains and operational contexts.
Track 2:
Connected Vehicles Platform – Impact on Fleet, Customers, and Productivity
Panelists demonstrated how connected vehicle platforms are revolutionising fleet management through real-time tracking, predictive maintenance, driver behaviour monitoring, and improved customer visibility, ultimately boosting overall efficiency.
OEMs Launching SCVs for Efficient Last-Mile Delivery
This discussion spotlighted next-generation Small Commercial Vehicles (SCVs) developed for urban logistics, focusing on electric SCVs, payload optimisation, and design innovations aimed at solving delivery challenges in India’s congested cities.
Modernisation of CVs: Improving Driver Safety and Vehicle Security
Industry leaders addressed the integration of ADAS, anti-theft systems, driver alert systems, and dashcams into fleets. The session also covered OEM and fleet operator efforts in driver training and compliance to strengthen overall safety culture.
Pedal to the Metal – Solving the Long-Haul Truck Driver Shortage
A poignant discussion on India’s chronic driver shortage, panellists called for structural changes to improve the profession’s social perception. Companies shared initiatives including open-door policies, grievance redressal cells, and programs supporting drivers both professionally and personally. The strong message resonated clearly — India cannot achieve its $5 trillion economic vision without uplifting and valuing its drivers.
Other notable speakers at the event included Anurag Dubey (Sany India), Dr. Devendra Singh (CIRT), Mitra Sen Verma (BIS), TV Swaminathan (Tata Motors), Uday Narang (Omega Seiki), Anand S (Tata Motors), Amit Sagar (Piaggio), Sarvesh Mahajan (Mahindra & Mahindra), among others.
CVF 2025 Awards
The event concluded with the prestigious CVF Awards Ceremony, recognising innovation, impact, and excellence across 10 categories:
• CVF Most Admired Leading Temperature Controlled Fleet – Coldverse
• CVF Most Admired Technology Transformed Fleet of the Year – Sushila Transport Private Limited
• CVF Most Admired Leading Road Transporter Driving Transformative Social Impact – PMI Electromobility Solutions
• CVF Most Admired Leading Clean Fleet – Allcargo Gati Limited
• CVF Most Admired Trailblazer in Safety Solutions and Innovations – ZF
• CVF Most Admired Sustainability Leading to Net Zero Company – Blue Energy Motors
• CVF Most Admired Leading Software Solutions for Road Transport – Cargodham
• CVF Most Admired Leading Connected Technology of the Year – City Glide
• CVF Most Admired Progress Together (CV Supplier) – MIBA Drivetec India
• CV Industry Visionary Award – Girish Wagh, Executive Director, Tata Motors