Centre Plans Higher Truck Height Limit to Ease Transport of White Goods and Solar Panels

New Delhi | 4 Feb 2026 The Union government has proposed increasing the maximum permissible height of certain trucks from 4 metres to 4.5 metres to make the transport of white goods and solar panels easier. The draft notification, issued by the ministry of road transport and highways, applies to N2 and N3 category trucks and trailers. This move is aimed at improving logistics efficiency, especially for bulky but lightweight goods that require vertical stacking. Under the proposal, N2 vehicles, which include trucks weighing between 3.5 and 12 tonnes, and N3 vehicles, which are heavy trucks weighing over 12 tonnes, will be allowed the higher height limit. The rule will apply when white goods or photovoltaic solar panels are properly packaged and stacked in multiple layers. The same 4.5-metre height limit has also been suggested for semi-trailers attached to tractors carrying these goods. The draft amendment seeks to change Rule 93 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, and was published in the Gazette of India on January 30. The government has invited feedback from stakeholders and the general public within 30 days of the notification being made public. After this period, the Centre will review the suggestions before taking a final decision on the proposal. Industry bodies have welcomed the move. All India Truckers Welfare Association general secretary Abhishek Gupta said, “It will help reduce logistics costs, improve vehicle utilisation, and lower emissions by cutting down the number of trips required.” He added that this should be seen as a starting point for wider reforms. Amit Bhatt, India managing director at the International Council on Clean Transportation, also supported the proposal, saying, “India has committed to achieving 500 GW of non-fossil electricity capacity by 2030,with solar expected to contribute the largest share. Regulatory clarity on the safe and efficient movement of photovoltaic modules,as provided through this amendment, is a small but important enabler of that transition.” Centre Plans to Raise Truck Height Limit to Support White Goods and Solar Panel Transport The central government has proposed a change that could make transporting white goods and solar panels easier and more efficient. According to a draft notification by the ministry of road transport and highways, the allowed height of certain trucks may be increased from 4 metres to 4.5 metres. This proposal applies to N2 and N3 category trucks and trailers used for carrying these specific goods. N2 trucks include vehicles weighing between 3.5 tonnes and 12 tonnes, while N3 covers heavy vehicles weighing more than 12 tonnes. Under the new proposal, these vehicles will be allowed to carry loads up to 4.5 metres high, but only if the goods are properly packed and stacked in multiple layers. The same height limit has also been suggested for semi-trailers attached to tractors transporting white goods or solar panels. The proposed change was published in the Gazette of India on January 30 as an amendment to Rule 93 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. The government has asked industry members and the general public to share their views and objections within 30 days. After reviewing the feedback, the Centre will decide whether to move ahead with the amendment. Truckers’ bodies and clean energy experts have welcomed the move. All India Truckers Welfare Association general secretary Abhishek Gupta said, “It will help reduce logistics costs, improve vehicle utilisation, and lower emissions by cutting down the number of trips required.” Supporting the proposal, ICCT India managing director Amit Bhatt said, “India has committed to achieving 500 GW of non-fossil electricity capacity by 2030, with solar expected to contribute the largest share. Regulatory clarity on the safe and efficient movement of photovoltaic modules, as provided through this amendment, is a small but important enabler of that transition.”