India’s clean mobility journey has reached a major milestone as Montra Electric becomes the first heavy-duty electric truck manufacturer in the country to receive certification under the PM E-DRIVE Scheme. Marking this achievement, Montra Electric has delivered India’s first PM E-DRIVE-certified Rhino 5538 EV 6×4 tractor-trailer to UltraTech Cement, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable and zero-emission freight transportation.
As heavy commercial vehicles account for a significant share of freight-related emissions, this development is a crucial step towards decarbonising India’s logistics and industrial ecosystem. The certification of the Rhino 5538 EV under the Government of India’s flagship PM E-DRIVE initiative strengthens the business case for adopting electric trucks across high-impact sectors such as cement, mining, infrastructure, ports, and long-haul logistics.
Key Highlights at a Glance
- Montra Electric becomes India’s first PM E-DRIVE-certified heavy-duty electric truck manufacturer
- Rhino 5538 EV 6×4 tractor-trailer delivered to UltraTech Cement
- Certification supports cleaner industrial growth and net-zero goals
- Customers can receive incentives up to Rs 9.6 lakh per vehicle
- PM E-DRIVE scheme has an outlay of Rs 10,900 crore, with Rs 500 crore earmarked for electric trucks
A Landmark Achievement for India’s Clean Mobility Ecosystem
Montra Electric, the e-M&HCV business vertical of the Murugappa Group, has achieved a significant breakthrough by securing PM E-DRIVE certification for its Rhino 5538 EV. This milestone places Montra Electric at the forefront of India’s electric commercial vehicle transition, particularly in the heavy-duty segment where emissions intensity is considerably high.
Heavy-duty trucks play a critical role in India’s economy but also contribute disproportionately to freight emissions. By introducing a certified electric alternative, Montra Electric is enabling industries to adopt cleaner transportation without compromising on performance, reliability, or operational efficiency
Montra Delivers PM E-DRIVE-Certified Rhino 5538 EV to UltraTech Cement
To demonstrate its leadership in electric commercial mobility, Montra Electric handed over the first PM E-DRIVE-certified Rhino 5538 EV 6×4 tractor-trailer to UltraTech Cement, India’s largest cement manufacturer.
The ceremonial flag-off was led by Arun Murugappan, Chairman of Montra Electric (TI Clean Mobility). The event was attended by senior leadership from both organisations, including:
- Jalaj Gupta, Managing Director, Montra Electric (TI Clean Mobility)
- Sathia Raj, Chief Procurement Officer, UltraTech Cement Limited
This delivery underscores the growing confidence of major industrial players in electric heavy-duty vehicles and highlights the readiness of EV technology for real-world, high-utilisation applications.
Why PM E-DRIVE Certification Matters
The PM E-DRIVE (Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement) Scheme is a central government initiative aimed at accelerating EV adoption across vehicle categories, with a special focus on commercial vehicles.
Key Benefits of PM E-DRIVE Certification:
- Makes electric trucks financially viable for fleet operators
- Reduces upfront acquisition costs through government incentives
- Encourages rapid electrification of freight transport
- Supports India’s Net Zero and sustainability commitments
Under the scheme, Rs 500 crore has been allocated specifically for electric trucks, allowing customers to avail incentives of up to Rs 9.6 lakh per Rhino 5538 EV. This significantly improves long-term fleet economics by lowering operating costs and reducing exposure to fuel price volatility.
Accelerating Electric Truck Adoption Across Key Industries
The certification of the Rhino 5538 EV is expected to speed up the adoption of electric heavy-duty trucks across multiple sectors, including:
- Manufacturing and industrial logistics
- Mining and raw material transportation
- Cement and infrastructure projects
- Ports and hub-to-hub freight corridors
By enabling industries to transition away from diesel-powered trucks, Montra Electric is helping businesses meet evolving emission norms while maintaining operational efficiency and uptime.
Government’s Vision for Electric Freight Mobility
Speaking on the occasion, H.D. Kumaraswamy, Union Minister for Heavy Industries, highlighted the importance of the PM E-DRIVE initiative in India’s EV journey.
He stated that the scheme reflects India’s growing innovation capabilities in the heavy-duty EV segment and aligns with the government’s vision of decarbonising logistics. Emphasising the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he reiterated the government’s commitment to making India a global hub for electric vehicle manufacturing.
According to the minister, electric trucks will play a pivotal role in achieving India’s Net Zero goals, while also fostering a self-reliant and future-ready mobility ecosystem under the vision of Atmanirbhar Viksit Bharat.
Montra Electric’s Vision for Decarbonising Freight
Commenting on this milestone, Arun Murugappan, Chairman of Montra Electric (TI Clean Mobility), described freight decarbonisation as one of the most critical challenges in India’s energy transition.
He acknowledged the Government of India’s progressive policy frameworks, including the PM E-DRIVE Scheme, for creating a conducive environment for accelerating EV adoption—especially in heavy commercial vehicles where emission reduction has the highest impact.
Murugappan emphasised Montra Electric’s commitment to delivering technologically advanced, scalable, and reliable electric M&HCV solutions that can bring lasting change to India’s mobility landscape.
Montra Electric Rhino 5538 EV: Key Technical Details
The Rhino 5538 EV tractor-trailer has been developed specifically for Indian operating conditions and demanding industrial use cases.
Key Specifications:
- Available in 6×4 and 4×2 trailer configurations
- Equipped with a 282 kWh LFP (Lithium Ferro Phosphate) battery
- Produces 380 hp of power
- Delivers an impressive 2000 Nm of torque
- Approximate real-world range of 198 km
- Supports six-minute battery swapping capability
These advanced features make the Rhino 5538 EV ideal for high-utilisation, fixed-route, and hub-to-hub operations where downtime and efficiency are critical.
Ideal Applications of the Rhino 5538 EV
Thanks to its robust performance and fast battery swapping capability, the Rhino 5538 EV is well-suited for:
- Cement and construction material logistics
- Steel plants and mining operations
- Port-based container movement
- Long-haul freight corridors
- High-volume industrial transport routes
These sectors collectively account for a large portion of India’s freight emissions, making electrification in this segment a game-changer for sustainability.
About Montra Electric and the Murugappa Group
Montra Electric is the clean mobility brand of the Murugappa Group, one of India’s most respected conglomerates with a legacy spanning over 125 years.
The company operates across four major electric mobility verticals:
- Heavy Commercial Vehicles
- Mid & Small Commercial Vehicles
- Last-Mile Three-Wheelers
- Electric Tractors
Montra Electric’s growing product portfolio includes:
- RHINO 55-ton electric truck trailer
- EVIATOR 3.5-ton electric SCV
- SUPER AUTO electric passenger auto-rickshaw
- SUPER CARGO last-mile cargo EV
- E-27, India’s first electric tractor
Final Verdict
With PM E-DRIVE certification for the Rhino 5538 EV, Montra Electric has set a new benchmark in India’s heavy-duty electric vehicle segment. This achievement not only strengthens India’s clean mobility ecosystem but also provides a viable, cost-effective pathway for industries to transition towards zero-emission freight transport.
As electric trucks become increasingly central to India’s sustainability goals, Montra Electric’s leadership positions it as a key driver of the country’s EV transformation.
FAQs
PM E-DRIVE certification is a government approval under India’s EV incentive scheme that supports electric vehicle adoption through financial subsidies and policy backing.
The Montra Electric Rhino 5538 EV is India’s first heavy-duty electric truck to receive PM E-DRIVE certification.
Customers can receive incentives of up to Rs 9.6 lakh per electric truck under the PM E-DRIVE scheme.
UltraTech Cement received India’s first PM E-DRIVE-certified Rhino 5538 EV tractor-trailer.
The Rhino 5538 EV offers a real-world range of approximately 198 km, depending on operating conditions.