Haryana- 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 commercial deployment across key industrial sectors in India.
The rollout reflects the growing adoption of electric heavy commercial vehicles as fleet operators transition from pilot projects to large-scale deployment. Montra Electric said it has increased production capacity for the Rhino platform to meet a growing order pipeline and support the shift towards zero-emission freight transportation.
The Rhino 5538 EV is designed for demanding freight applications, including cement, steel, infrastructure, construction materials, mining, and other heavy-duty sectors. The truck combines an advanced electric powertrain, connected telematics, and intelligent vehicle engineering to deliver high performance, reliability, operational efficiency, and a lower total cost of ownership.
The first batch marks the initial phase of deliveries, with additional vehicles scheduled for deployment over the coming months across multiple industrial corridors.
Mr. Jalaj Gupta, Managing Director, Montra Electric (TI Clean Mobility Pvt. Ltd.), said the Indian heavy freight industry has reached a turning point, with customers integrating electric trucks into mainstream logistics operations. He added that the company's expanded production at its Manesar facility will help support the growing demand for sustainable freight solutions.
Mr. Navneet Sethi, CEO – eMHCV, Montra Electric (IPLTech Electric Pvt. Ltd.), said fleet operators are increasingly focused on scaling electric truck operations rather than evaluating the technology. He noted that the Rhino 5538 EV has been developed to meet demanding freight requirements by delivering productivity, efficiency, high uptime, and lower operating costs.