Montra Electric Launches India’s First PM E-DRIVE Truck

Montra Electric, the electric commercial vehicle arm of the Murugappa Group, has made history by delivering India’s first PM E-DRIVE certified heavy-duty electric truck. The Rhino 5538 EV 6×4 tractor trailer was handed over to UltraTech Cement Limited, marking a key milestone in India’s transition to zero-emission logistics.

Certification Under PM E-DRIVE

The PM E-DRIVE scheme, with an allocation of ₹10,900 crore, provides direct customer benefits of up to ₹9.6 lakh per vehicle. ₹500 crore of the scheme is specifically reserved for electric trucks, aiming to accelerate the shift from conventional fuels across logistics, mining, infrastructure, and manufacturing sectors.

Union Minister for Heavy Industries, H.D. Kumaraswamy, praised the achievement, stating that the certification highlights India’s growing capabilities in the heavy-duty EV segment. Arun Murugappan, Chairman of Montra Electric, noted the role of policy support in accelerating decarbonisation of freight, emphasizing the importance of electric commercial vehicles in reducing emissions intensity.

Vehicle Specifications and Performance

The Rhino 5538 EV is engineered for Indian operating conditions and is available in 6×4 and 4×2 tractor trailer variants. The 4×2 variant offers both fixed battery and fast battery-swapping options, featuring a six-minute swap system. The vehicle is equipped with a 282 kWh LFP battery, delivering 380 HP and 2,000 Nm of torque, with a range of approximately 198 km under standard test conditions.

Designed for high-utilization, fixed-route applications, the truck is ideal for ports, mining, cement logistics, steel plants, and long-haul freight corridors. Its electrification is expected to improve fleet economics through lower operating costs, reduced fuel price volatility, and compliance with evolving emission and sustainability norms.

Driving EV Adoption in Heavy Commercial Vehicles

Heavy-duty trucks contribute disproportionately to freight emissions, making electrification of this segment crucial for India’s net-zero goals. By delivering the first PM E-DRIVE certified truck, Montra Electric is setting a benchmark for domestic heavy-duty electric vehicle manufacturing.

Montra Electric’s Expanding Portfolio

Montra Electric operates across four verticals, covering heavy commercial vehicles, mid- and small commercial vehicles, last-mile three-wheelers, and electric tractors. Its offerings include India’s first 55-ton electric truck trailer Rhino, the 3.5-ton small commercial vehicle Eviator, last-mile delivery solutions Super Auto and Super Cargo, and India’s first electric tractor E-27.

Legacy and Market Impact

The Murugappa Group, with a 125-year legacy and ₹90,178 crore in revenue, operates across agriculture, engineering, and financial services, employing over 94,000 people globally. Montra Electric’s milestone under PM E-DRIVE reinforces India’s growing EV ecosystem while providing a scalable blueprint for heavy-duty truck electrification in the country.