In a major boost to India’s electric freight transition, Montra Electric has become the first manufacturer in the country to secure PM E-DRIVE certification for a heavy-duty electric truck.
The company also delivered the first PM E-DRIVE–certified electric truck, the Rhino 5538 EV, to UltraTech Cement Limited, marking a significant milestone for clean logistics in India.
Montra Electric, the e-M&HCV arm of TI Clean Mobility Private Limited and part of the Murugappa Group, received certification under the Government of India’s PM E-DRIVE scheme, which aims to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles across commercial segments.
What PM E-DRIVE Certification Means for Electric Trucks
The PM E-DRIVE scheme, with a total outlay of ₹10,900 crore, has earmarked ₹500 crore specifically for electric trucks. For fleet operators, this translates into customer incentives of up to ₹9.6 lakh per vehicle for eligible models like the Rhino 5538 EV.
This financial support significantly strengthens the business case for electric heavy-duty trucks by:
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Reducing upfront acquisition costs
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Lowering total cost of ownership
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Minimising exposure to fuel price volatility
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Supporting compliance with tightening emission norms
Industry experts believe the scheme could accelerate electrification across cement logistics, mining, ports, infrastructure projects, steel plants, and long-haul freight corridors—segments that contribute heavily to India’s freight emissions.
First Certified Delivery to UltraTech Cement
The first PM E-DRIVE–certified Rhino 5538 EV 6×4 tractor-trailer was formally flagged off and handed over to UltraTech Cement Limited, India’s largest cement and ready-mix concrete producer. The event was attended by Arun Murugappan, Chairman of Montra Electric, Jalaj Gupta, Managing Director of Montra Electric, and Sathia Raj, Chief Procurement Officer of UltraTech Cement.
The delivery underlines growing confidence among large industrial customers in electric heavy trucks for high-utilisation applications.
Government Push for Decarbonising Freight
Commenting on the milestone, H.D. Kumaraswamy, Hon’ble Union Minister for Heavy Industries, said the PM E-DRIVE scheme reflects India’s expanding capabilities in heavy-duty EV manufacturing and aligns with the country’s Net Zero ambitions.
He highlighted that electric trucks are critical to decarbonising logistics and strengthening India’s position as a global EV manufacturing hub under the Atmanirbhar Viksit Bharat vision.
Built for Indian Conditions
The Rhino 5538 EV has been designed specifically for Indian operating conditions and is available in 6×4 and 4×2 tractor-trailer configurations. Key highlights include:
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282 kWh LFP battery
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380 HP power output
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2000 Nm torque
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Nearly 198 km range under standard test conditions
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Battery swapping and fixed battery options (on select variants)
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Six-minute battery swap capability
These features make the electric truck suitable for fixed-route, hub-to-hub, and high-duty-cycle operations, where predictable routes and fast turnaround times are critical.
A Step Towards Cleaner Freight Movement
Heavy-duty trucks account for a disproportionate share of freight-related emissions in India. The certification and deployment of the Rhino 5538 EV under PM E-DRIVE is seen as a crucial step toward reducing carbon emissions from industrial transport while maintaining performance and uptime.
Montra Electric stated it will continue working closely with customers, policymakers, and ecosystem partners to scale electric truck deployments across India’s core economic sectors.
As government incentives align with advancing vehicle technology, the delivery of India’s first PM E-DRIVE–certified electric heavy truck signals that electric freight is moving from pilot projects to commercial reality.
