To buy a coffee truck in India, plan a ₹10–25 lakh budget and secure approvals upfront so the RTO will endorse your “food van” body without delays. Start with a BS6 small commercial chassis (Tata Ace, Mahindra Supro, Dost) under 2T GVW for easy parking; insist on an ARAI/ICAT–approved body builder using SS304 interiors, anti-skid flooring, proper insulation, and no chassis cuts. Power your 2‑group espresso machine (~3 kW) via a silent 5 kVA generator or a 48V 200Ah lithium inverter system with 2–3 kW solar-ready inverter; size wiring to 15A circuits and add ELCB/RCD. Fit 120–200 L freshwater, 80–120 L waste, a three-sink wash station, RO, 180–220 L undercounter refrigeration, fire extinguisher, and LPG only for auxiliary heating with leak detectors. Licensing: FSSAI (FoSCoS; Basic up to ₹12 lakh turnover, State above), Trade/Health license, Shops & Establishments, street vending permission or site MoU, commercial RC with fitness, body alteration endorsement, insurance, PUC; add GST if turnover >₹20 lakh. Equipment costs: espresso ₹1–3 lakh, grinder ₹25–60k, generator/inverter ₹50k–1.5 lakh, fabrication ₹4–12 lakh. Finance via PM MUDRA (up to ₹10 lakh) or NBFC lease. Choose locations with commuter footfall, accept UPI, price ₹120–200, target 100–150 cups/day for 9–18 month payback returns.
