Mahindra UDO vs Montra Electric Super Auto: Head-to-Head Comparison

The L5 electric three-wheeler segment in India is rapidly evolving, with Mahindra Last Mile Mobility and Montra Electric introducing advanced models for urban and semi-urban passenger transport. The Mahindra UDO and Montra Electric Super Auto showcase modern design elements, cutting-edge technology, and eco-friendly features. While similar in design, these vehicles differ in performance, battery, and total cost of ownership, making it essential for businesses to understand their nuances before purchase.

Performance And Driving Dynamics

Both Mahindra UDO and Montra Super Auto are powered by a 10 kW Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM), delivering a top speed of 55 kmph. However, they differ slightly in torque output: UDO provides 52 Nm, whereas Montra Super Auto delivers 60 Nm, allowing slightly quicker acceleration from a standstill.

In terms of driving modes, UDO comes with RRR (Race, Range, Ride) modes. The Range mode optimises trip distance, Race mode maximises speed for faster turnaround, and Ride mode suits daily passenger operations. Montra Super Auto, in contrast, offers Eco, Drive, Power, and Park Assist modes to balance efficiency, performance, and parking assistance.

Suspension systems also differ. UDO has a dual fork front suspension and semi-trailing arm rear suspension with coil springs and hydraulic dampers, while Montra features telescopic hydraulic forks at the front and a swingarm coil-over damper setup at the rear. Both vehicles employ 12-inch tyres and drum brakes, ensuring safety and comfort.

Gradeability And Manoeuvrability

Mahindra UDO takes the lead in gradeability with 25%, compared to Montra Super Auto’s 21%, making it more suitable for hilly terrain. UDO has a turning circle radius of around 3 meters, offering good manoeuvrability in narrow city lanes, whereas Montra has not yet disclosed its turning circle radius. UDO’s wheelbase of 2100 mm provides greater stability compared to Montra’s 2010 mm, while the taller body design of UDO ensures 1100 mm of headroom for passengers and drivers.

Battery Capacity And Range

The Mahindra UDO is equipped with an 11.7 kWh lithium-ion battery, compared to Montra’s 10.6 kWh pack. This translates into a certified range of 265 km and a real-world range of 200 km for UDO, outperforming Montra’s 191-239 km certified range and 160 km real-world range. UDO requires approximately 5 hours and 15 minutes for a full charge using an AC charger, while Montra Super Auto takes about 4 hours. Neither model currently offers DC fast charging.

Total Cost Of Ownership

A crucial factor for businesses, the total cost of ownership (TCO) for Mahindra UDO over ten years is approximately Rs 5,60,000, with a cost per kilometre of Rs 1.86. This includes an ex-showroom price of Rs 3,59,000, insurance and RTO fees of Rs 50,000, maintenance of Rs 10,000, and charging costs of Rs 1,41,000 for a 3,00,000 km distance.

For Montra Super Auto ePL 2.0 R, the ten-year TCO is around Rs 6,09,000, translating to Rs 2.03 per kilometre. This includes an ex-showroom price of Rs 3,80,000, similar RTO and insurance costs, maintenance of Rs 20,000, and charging costs of Rs 1,59,000. The Mahindra UDO thus emerges as a more economical choice for businesses prioritising efficiency.

Key Features And Safety

Both vehicles offer modern cabins with digital instrument clusters, lockable glove boxes, mobile charging sockets, and bottle holders. UDO integrates with the NEMO telematics app, while Montra uses the Super Auto app to monitor battery health and vehicle status.

Mahindra UDO introduces industry-first features such as hill-hold assist for climbing slopes, creep mode for navigating congested traffic, and a reverse throttle that enables regenerative braking to improve range and reduce brake wear. Montra Super Auto offers limp mode to limit power and protect the vehicle in case of faults.

Warranty coverage also differs: UDO offers six years or 1.5 lakh kilometres, along with free service up to 1 lakh kilometres, while Montra provides five years or 1.75 lakh kilometres with first-year roadside assistance.

Which Electric Auto-Rickshaw To Choose?

Both Mahindra UDO and Montra Super Auto are well-suited for city and semi-urban passenger transport, offering cleaner and more efficient alternatives to ICE three-wheelers. UDO stands out for hilly areas, better gradeability, hill-hold assist, and a larger battery with extended range. Montra Super Auto, however, offers slightly faster charging and safety features like limp mode.

From a price perspective, UDO starts at Rs 3.59 lakh, lower than Montra’s Rs 3.80 lakh, while offering multiple innovative features, making it the more cost-effective and versatile choice for businesses seeking reliable last-mile mobility solutions.