Electric vehicles (EVs) in India are gaining momentum – from two-wheelers and three-wheelers to light commercial vehicles, passenger cars, and now heavy trucks, which have joined the electric journey. EV companies are also offering a variety of charging facilities through their own infrastructure, while partnering with others for broader support.
The Indian electric heavy truck market is growing, driven by demand for sustainability, lower operating costs, and government policies. Key applications include cement, ports, and mining, with a significant market share projected for trucks over 45 tonnes. The market is expected to double in size by March 2025, reaching between 4,000 and 6,000 units. Rising diesel prices are making electric trucks an attractive alternative for logistics. However, the initial purchase price of electric trucks remains a major deterrent for many fleet operators.
Montra Electric, the clean mobility brand of the diversified Murugappa Group – one of India’s oldest and most respected business conglomerates, with a legacy spanning 125 years – recently launched the Rhino 5538 EV 4x2 TT and introduced battery swapping for its Rhino range of trucks. The vehicles were launched at the company’s eM&HCV (electric medium & heavy commercial vehicle) manufacturing facility in Manesar, Haryana. The EV truck maker also inaugurated India’s first all-women-monitored, automated battery plant, along with a new conveyor line integrated with Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs).
Expanding the portfolio
The new Rhino 5538 EV 4x2 TT marks a defining moment for India, catapulting the nation into the global league of electric mobility and sustainable freight solutions. The product and facilities were unveiled in the presence of MAM Arunachalam (Arun Murugappan), Chairman, Montra Electric (TI Clean Mobility), and Vellayan Subbiah, Vice Chairman. The launch marks the expansion of Montra Electric’s Rhino EV truck portfolio, building on the success of India’s first heavy-duty electric truck, the 6x4 TT, which has already clocked over 1.2 crore kilometres within just 2 years of its debut.
The battery swap for the Rhino trucks takes less than six minutes, compared with over an hour using conventional fast charging. Each swap station is built with a 7+1 configuration and advanced automation, capable of handling over 160 swaps per day at peak utilisation and efficiently serving large fleet operations. The system maintains an optimised thermal management and charging environment, which enhances battery safety and extends service life by reducing stress on the cells. Designed with a drive-through layout, it allows articulated trucks and trailers to enter, swap, and exit seamlessly, much like passing through a toll plaza, and this ensures minimal turnaround time and uninterrupted logistics efficiency.
The truck is priced at Rs1.15 crore (ex-factory) for the fixed-battery variant. It is backed by Montra Electric’s unique AMC contract for 10 years/nine-lakh km, with a 95 per cent uptime guarantee, advanced telematics, and tailored financing solutions. “At Montra Electric, we are building products and services that directly address the biggest hurdles in commercial EV adoption. With innovations like battery swapping for heavy-duty trucks and purpose-built platforms across segments, we are making clean mobility seamless, reliable, and economically viable for fleet operators,” says Murugappan. “Each step we take is designed to accelerate India’s shift towards cleaner logistics, ensuring that sustainable mobility becomes the norm rather than the exception,” he adds.
The introduction of battery-swapping technology helps tackle critical barriers such as long charging times and high operational costs. With this step, Montra Electric is paving the way for the wider adoption of clean transport solutions that support logistics players.
“It is a milestone in Montra Electric’s journey of putting India firmly on the global map of sustainable mobility with the introduction of battery-swapping technology. The launch of the Rhino 5538 EV 4x2 TT, in one of the largest industry segments, demonstrates our commitment to innovation, localisation, and sustainability,” explains Jalaj Gupta, MD, Montra Electric.
The newly launched Rhino 5538 EV 4x2 TT will be available in two variants – with options for battery swapping and for a standard integrated battery pack. Beyond heavy commercial vehicles, Montra Electric’s portfolio also includes electric three-wheelers, small commercial vehicles, and tractors, making it one of the few full-spectrum players driving India’s clean mobility transition. The company also announced that it is developing new products based on market requirements.
India’s overall EV market is projected to grow at a 49 per cent CAGR, with a significant portion of this growth coming from the commercial vehicle segment. Key drivers for this segment include the fact that EV trucks offer lower operational and maintenance costs compared with traditional diesel trucks, making them ideal for commercial use. Government incentive schemes will further help EV manufacturers and strengthen India’s mission towards EV adoption.