Montra Electric, the clean mobility brand of the Murugappa Group, has flagged off the first batch of its Rhino 5538 EV heavy-duty electric trucks from its manufacturing facility in Manesar, marking the start of a phased large-scale deployment across key industrial sectors in India.
The rollout reflects the growing commercial adoption of electric heavy-duty trucks as India’s freight industry moves beyond pilot projects toward large-scale fleet electrification. To meet rising demand, Montra Electric has ramped up production of its Rhino platform to support an expanding order pipeline and accelerate the transition to sustainable logistics.
The Rhino 5538 EV is designed for demanding freight applications across industries including cement, steel, infrastructure, construction materials, and mining. The company said the truck combines high performance, operational reliability, and a lower total cost of ownership for long-haul and high-utilisation freight operations.
The current dispatch represents the first phase of deliveries, with the remaining vehicles scheduled for deployment over the coming months across multiple industrial corridors in the country.
Commenting on the development, Jalaj Gupta, Managing Director, Montra Electric (TI Clean Mobility Pvt. Ltd.), said customers are increasingly integrating electric trucks into mainstream logistics operations rather than testing them through limited pilot projects. He added that the production ramp-up at the Manesar facility enables the company to support enterprises seeking high-performance, reliable, and sustainable freight solutions.
Navneet Sethi, CEO – eMHCV, Montra Electric (IPLTech Electric Pvt. Ltd.), said fleet operators are now focused on scaling electric truck deployments, reflecting growing confidence in the technology. He noted that the Rhino platform has been engineered to deliver high uptime, productivity, efficiency, and lower operating costs for demanding commercial freight applications.
According to the company, the Rhino 5538 EV integrates an advanced electric powertrain, connected telematics, and intelligent vehicle engineering to meet the evolving needs of commercial freight transportation.
Montra Electric said it continues to expand its manufacturing capacity, service network, and customer support ecosystem, supported by a growing order book from sectors including cement, steel, infrastructure, and mining. The company aims to accelerate India’s transition to zero-emission freight transportation through indigenous innovation and advanced manufacturing.
