The 9th edition of The Times Group ET NOW Global Business Summit 2025, one of Asia’s most anticipated forums for intellectual exchange and global dialogue, was held at the Taj Palace in New Delhi on February 15th-16th. This year, the summit brought together an exceptional group of leaders, visionaries, and innovators, all focused on shaping the future of business and society. Essar was proud to participate as an ESG Partner, showcasing its ongoing commitment to sustainable development and the energy transition.
Essar’s leadership took center stage at the event, sharing valuable insights on key industry topics. Prashant Ruia, Director – Essar, engaged in a thought-provoking conversation with Vikram Oza, Consulting Editor at ET NOW, on ‘India’s Energy Transition: A Global Imperative.’ Meanwhile, BC Tripathi, Board Member of Essar Green Mobility, contributed to the panel discussion on ‘The ESG Advantage: Leveraging Green Mobility to Build a Sustainable Supply Chain.’
Balancing energy security with sustainability
During his discussion with Vikram Oza, Prashant Ruia, Director – Essar, emphasized the need for a balanced, strategic, and long-term approach to the evolving energy landscape. He remarked, “We are at a pivotal moment in the energy transition. In our pursuit of green energy, we moved away from fossil fuels too quickly, without fully accounting for the time required for a seamless transition. The reality is that both fossil fuels and renewable energy sources are essential in the short term. While the shift to green energy is inevitable, it must be gradual and strategically managed.”
The conversation explored various facets of the energy landscape, including the impact of recent geopolitical events on the energy transition, the roles of US, India and China, and the transformative potential of AI in driving low-cost green technology and meeting rising energy demands. Speaking on the foreseeable future of renewables, e-mobility, and battery storage, Prashant also outlined Essar’s plans in the space. “In our next phase of growth, we are making significant investments in key areas such as industrial decarbonisation, electric trucks, round-the-clock renewable power, and biofuels. As pioneers in technology adoption, our investment strategy is built on selecting the most efficient and long-lasting solutions, balancing conventional energy with emerging innovations that drive the energy transition” he said.
Revolutionising India’s trucking sector
In a dynamic session on green mobility, BC Tripathi highlighted the scale of India’s freight operations and their significant economic and environmental impact. “India urgently needs a smart, sustainable logistics system to drive economic growth, as logistics costs account for 12% of GDP—far above global benchmarks. The trucking sector, responsible for 70% of freight movement, relies on 4 million diesel trucks, making it a major consumer of fuel and contributor to emissions. With freight demand expected to double in the next 5–7 years, transitioning to cleaner and greener mobility is critical for reducing emissions and ensuring long-term sustainability,” he stated.
Speaking amidst industry veterans, he also spoke about Essar’s efforts in this space, sharing the company’s ambitious plans for scaling up. “Essar has developed an integrated ecosystem that includes LNG and EV truck manufacturing, fuel infrastructure, and large-scale logistics operations. Currently, nearly 600 trucks are on the road, and since inception, the initiative has saved almost 10,000 tons of carbon emissions—equivalent to planting 3.5 lakh trees. Essar is introducing a new product with dual LNG tanks, capable of traveling up to 2,500 km on a single fill, and will soon launch a 50-ton Electric Vehicle truck. The company is also scaling up operations to expand its fleet size while building the necessary energy and charging infrastructure to support this growth”.
The Summit provided Essar with a valuable platform to showcase its thought leadership, emphasizing the need for a strategic, long-term approach to energy transition and sustainable mobility. Through insightful discussions, Essar reinforced its commitment to driving innovation and shaping a greener, more resilient future.
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