Montra Electric delivers India’s first PM E-DRIVE certified Electric Truck

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Montra Electric, an e-M&HCV business vertical of the Murugappa Group, made a mark in India’s clean mobility journey by becoming the first heavy-duty electric truck manufacturer in the country to receive certification under the Government of India’s PM E-DRIVE Scheme.

Marking this achievement, the company has also delivered the country’s first PM E-DRIVE–certified electric heavy truck, Rhino 5538 EV 6×4 Tractor trailer, to UltraTech Cement Limited, India’s largest cement and ready-mix concrete company, reinforcing its commitment in advancing growth of electric vehicles.

The milestone was commemorated in the presence of Arun Murugappan, Chairman-Montra Electric (TI Clean Mobility), Jalaj Gupta MD-Montra Electric (TI Clean mobility), Sathia Raj, Chief Procurement Officer, UltraTech Cement Limited, underscoring the significance of this achievement for India’s clean mobility ecosystem.

The first PM E-DRIVE–certified Rhino 5538 EV was flagged off and handed over to UltraTech by Arun Murugappan.

The INR 10,900 crore PM E-DRIVE scheme has an out lay of Rs 500 crore dedicated for e-trucks, translating into a direct customer benefit of up to ₹9.6 lakh per vehicle for the Rhino 5538 EV. The incentive improves long-term fleet economics by lowering operating costs, reducing fuel price volatility exposure, and supporting compliance with evolving sustainability and emission norms.

Commenting on the milestone, Arun Murugappan, Chairman, Montra Electric (TI Clean Mobility Private Limited), said, “Decarbonising freight is one of the most critical challenges in India’s energy transition. We are grateful to the Government of India and our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for introducing forward-looking and progressive policy frameworks such as the PM E-DRIVE Scheme, which represent a welcome and transformative step in accelerating this shift, particularly in heavy commercial vehicles where emissions intensity is high.’

Designed specifically for Indian operating conditions, the Rhino 5538 EV Tractor trailer range is available in 6×4 and 4×2 Tractor trailer variants. The Rhino 5538 EV 4×2 Tractor trailer offers both battery swapping and fixed battery options, six-minute battery swaps, a 282 kWh LFP battery delivering 380 HP and 2000 Nm torque, and a range of nearly 198 km under standard test conditions. These capabilities make the Rhino 5538 EV well-suited for high-utilisation, fixed-route, and hub-to-hub applications across ports, mining operations, cement logistics, steel plants, and long-haul freight corridors—segments that contribute significantly to India’s freight emissions footprint.