Clean-air push puts Tata Motors’ scrappage network in the spotlight

Chennai: With a network of 11 Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facilities (RVSFs) across 10 states, excluding the southern region, and the capacity to dismantle more than 1.9 lakh vehicles annually, Tata Motors stands to benefit from the Centre’s push to retire ageing commercial vehicles as India intensifies efforts to curb vehicular pollution.

Last week, the Union cabinet approved a Rs 9,585-crore two-year scheme to replace ageing trucks and buses in the Delhi-NCR region, a move expected to boost vehicle scrappage activity and demand for cleaner vehicles.

For Tata Motors, which operates its scrappage facilities under the Re.Wi.Re (Recycle with Respect) initiative, the policy could provide a strong tailwind. Several of the company’s facilities are located in states covered by the NCR scheme, including Delhi-NCR, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, positioning it to benefit from a potential increase in scrapping volumes as vehicle owners seek access to the formal recycling ecosystem and incentives under the programme. The company also commands more than 50% market share in the medium and heavy truck segment across these four markets.

Meanwhile, Tata Motors has been steadily expanding its RVSF network. Its Re.Wi.Re facilities are designed to dismantle passenger and commercial vehicles of all brands using environmentally compliant processes. The company says the centres are equipped with specialised dismantling lines for commercial vehicles, passenger vehicles, two-wheelers and three-wheelers, alongside dedicated systems for handling tyres, batteries, fuels and other hazardous materials.

Digital systems also track vehicles throughout the dismantling process, helping ensure regulatory compliance and improve material recovery. “Every vehicle undergoes a meticulous documentation and controlled dismantling process designed specifically to meet the responsible scrapping requirements of passenger and commercial vehicles, guaranteeing the safe disposal of all components in line with the nation’s vehicle scrappage policy,” the company said in its latest annual report.

Trucks and buses account for 36% of PM2.5 emissions despite representing only about 3% of the vehicle fleet. Under the proposed scheme, BS-III and older vehicles must be scrapped at authorised Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facilities, while BS-IV vehicles can either be scrapped or sold outside the NCR region in non-NCAP towns and cities.