Montra Electric, the e-M&HCV business of the Murugappa Group, has emerged as a first mover in India’s electric heavy truck market after becoming the country’s first manufacturer to receive certification under the Government of India’s PM E-DRIVE Scheme. The company marked the milestone by delivering the first PM E-DRIVE–certified electric heavy truck the Rhino 5538 EV 6×4 tractor trailer to UltraTech Cement Limited, signalling growing institutional demand for zero-emission freight solutions.
The vehicle was flagged off and handed over by Arun Murugappan, Chairman, Montra Electric (TI Clean Mobility Private Limited), in the presence of senior executives from both organisations. Market impact is expected to be significant, as the ₹10,900-crore PM E-DRIVE scheme allocates ₹500 crore for e-trucks, translating into incentives of up to ₹9.6 lakh per Rhino 5538 EV and materially improving fleet economics.
Union Minister for Heavy Industries H. D. Kumaraswamy said the certification strengthens India’s push towards decarbonising logistics and achieving Net Zero targets under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. Engineered for Indian conditions, the Rhino 5538 EV range offers 6×4 and 4×2 variants, battery-swapping capability, a 282 kWh LFP battery, 380 HP power, 2,000 Nm torque and a tested range of nearly 198 km, targeting ports, mining, cement, steel and long-haul freight corridors.