Montra Electric, the electric medium and heavy commercial vehicle (e-M&HCV) arm of the Murugappa Group, has achieved a major milestone in India’s clean mobility journey by becoming the first heavy-duty electric truck manufacturer to receive certification under the Government of India’s PM E-DRIVE Scheme.
Marking the achievement, the company has delivered India’s first PM E-DRIVE–certified electric heavy truck, the Rhino 5538 EV 6×4 tractor trailer, to UltraTech Cement Limited, India’s largest cement and ready-mix concrete manufacturer. The delivery reinforces both companies’ commitment to accelerating electric vehicle adoption in India’s freight and logistics sectors.
The milestone event was held in the presence of Shri Arun Murugappan, Chairman – Montra Electric (TI Clean Mobility), Jalaj Gupta, Managing Director – Montra Electric, and Shri Sathia Raj, Chief Procurement Officer – UltraTech Cement Limited, highlighting the significance of the development for India’s clean mobility ecosystem.
Boost to Heavy-Duty EV Adoption
The certification under the PM E-DRIVE Scheme is expected to significantly accelerate the adoption of electric heavy-duty trucks across logistics, mining, infrastructure, and manufacturing sectors. By improving the business case for electrification, the initiative enables fleet operators to transition from diesel-powered trucks without compromising performance, uptime, or operational economics.
The PM E-DRIVE Scheme, with a total outlay of ₹10,900 crore, has earmarked ₹500 crore exclusively for electric trucks, offering direct customer incentives of up to ₹9.6 lakh per vehicle for eligible models, including the Rhino 5538 EV. These incentives are aimed at improving long-term fleet economics by reducing operating costs, fuel price volatility, and compliance risks linked to tightening emission regulations.
The first PM E-DRIVE–certified Rhino 5538 EV was formally flagged off and handed over to UltraTech Cement by Shri Arun Murugappan.
Government Push for Decarbonised Freight
Commenting on the development, Shri H.D. Kumaraswamy, Hon’ble Union Minister for Heavy Industries, said the PM E-DRIVE Scheme reflects India’s growing innovation capabilities in heavy-duty electric vehicles.
“The PM E-DRIVE Scheme demonstrates India’s commitment to decarbonising logistics and positioning the country as a global EV manufacturing hub. Electric trucks are central to our Net Zero ambitions, and such certifications are vital in fostering a self-reliant and sustainable mobility ecosystem,” he said.
Industry Commitment to Clean Mobility
Arun Murugappan, Chairman, Montra Electric, said decarbonising freight transport remains one of India’s most complex challenges in the energy transition.
“We are grateful to the Government of India for introducing forward-looking policies such as PM E-DRIVE, which are transformative for heavy commercial vehicle electrification. At Montra Electric, we are committed to delivering reliable, scalable, and technologically advanced electric truck solutions that can drive meaningful change in India’s mobility ecosystem,” he said.
Advanced Electric Truck Capabilities
Designed for Indian operating conditions, the Rhino 5538 EV tractor trailer range is available in 6×4 and 4×2 configurations, offering both battery swapping and fixed battery options. The 4×2 variant supports six-minute battery swaps and is powered by a 282 kWh LFP battery, delivering 380 HP and 2,000 Nm of torque, with a driving range of up to 198 km under standard test conditions.
The model is targeted at high-utilisation, fixed-route, and hub-to-hub applications across ports, mining operations, cement logistics, steel plants, and long-haul freight corridors, which collectively account for a substantial share of India’s freight emissions.
With heavy-duty trucks contributing disproportionately to freight-related carbon emissions, Montra Electric said the PM E-DRIVE–certified Rhino 5538 EV will play a critical role in advancing India’s net-zero goals and cleaner industrial growth, supported by close collaboration with policymakers, customers, and ecosystem partners.
