Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV) has achieved a significant environmental milestone by transitioning its Oragadam manufacturing plant near Chennai to operate entirely on renewable energy. This move eliminates 22,970 tons of carbon emissions annually and was completed ahead of the company’s initial 2025 target.
The shift to renewable energy combines on-site solar power generation with off-site renewable energy sourcing. The facility’s solar plant, equipped with 15,000 panels and a peak capacity of 4,300 kW, supplies 17% of the plant’s total energy needs. This alone reduces carbon emissions by 4,000 tons each year.
Satyakam Arya, Managing Director of DICV, credited supportive government policies, such as frameworks enabling green power purchases, for facilitating the transition. Since 2018, the company has been steadily increasing its reliance on renewable energy infrastructure.
This achievement comes at a time when automakers worldwide are under growing pressure to reduce their environmental impact. The Indian government has set an ambitious target of achieving a 50% renewable energy mix by 2030, with major industrial players like DICV expected to lead the way.
Daimler Truck AG, DICV’s parent company, is committed to carbon-neutral vehicle production globally. The Oragadam plant, which produces commercial vehicles for both domestic and international markets, is a cornerstone of Daimler’s operations in Asia.
In addition to its renewable energy efforts, DICV is exploring further energy-saving measures and alternative renewable sources to reduce its environmental footprint. The Oragadam facility manufactures BharatBenz trucks and buses, as well as Mercedes-Benz coaches. The company uses carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) metrics to measure its environmental impact, providing a comprehensive assessment of its sustainability initiatives.
About DICV
Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV), a subsidiary of Daimler Truck AG, is a leading manufacturer of commercial vehicles in India. Based in Oragadam, the company produces a range of trucks and buses under the BharatBenz brand, renowned for their durability, efficiency, and safety. DICV is dedicated to innovation, sustainability, and setting high standards in the commercial vehicle industry.
