Pune: The Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) has granted the CMVR Type Approval Certificate to Volvo Trucks India Private Ltd. for their innovative Road Train Vehicle Configuration – a first-of-its-kind approval for public road operations in India.
Certified under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR), 1989, the Volvo Road Train is engineered to transport light and high-volume cargo with far greater efficiency. The development sets a new benchmark in freight logistics by allowing vehicles up to 25.25 meters in length and 55 tonnes gross combination weight, significantly improving cargo capacity and cost-effectiveness.
The compliance certificate was formally presented by Dr. Reji Mathai, Director of ARAI, to Vijay Balachandran, DGM – Products at Volvo Trucks India, during a special ceremony held on April 29, 2025. The event also saw the participation of Abdul Jabbar Akbar Badusha, Senior Deputy Director at ARAI, alongside senior executives from both Volvo and ARAI.
Road Train Vehicle configuration
The Road Train Vehicle configuration, which includes a Volvo FM 420 4×2 tractor, a 24-ft intermediate trailer, and a 44-ft semi-trailer, provides an impressive total cargo volume of 144 cubic meters, making it 50% more efficient than standard semi-trailers. Following rigorous safety testing, the model has been approved by both MoRTH and ARAI for operations between Delhivery hubs in Nagpur and Bhiwandi.
Since its regulatory inclusion in 2020, Road Train technology has remained largely untapped in India. ARAI, with strategic support from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, spearheaded the development of India-specific certification guidelines, including critical safety parameters such as Synchronous Braking Systems, Gradeability, 360-Degree Visibility, and Interchangeability.
The certification of Volvo‘s Road Train Vehicle configuration is expected to redefine bulk cargo logistics by offering a safe, sustainable, and scalable solution to India’s growing transportation demands.
