Montra Electric, the e-M&HCV arm of TI Clean Mobility under the Murugappa Group, has crossed a pivotal inflection point for India’s heavy-truck electrification by becoming the first manufacturer to secure PM E-DRIVE certification for an N3 electric truck. The milestone was marked with the delivery of the first PM E-DRIVE–certified Rhino 5538 EV 6×4 tractor trailer to UltraTech Cement Limited.
From an economic standpoint, the certification materially improves total cost of ownership. Under the ₹10,900-crore PM E-DRIVE programme, ₹500 crore is earmarked for e-trucks, translating into incentives of up to ₹9.6 lakh per vehicle for the Rhino 5538 EV. This reduces upfront acquisition costs while lowering long-term operating expenses through fuel savings, reduced maintenance, and insulation from diesel price volatility—key barriers to adoption in heavy freight.
Union Minister for Heavy Industries H. D. Kumaraswamy said the move strengthens India’s EV manufacturing ecosystem and advances Net Zero and Atmanirbhar Bharat objectives, particularly in emissions-intensive freight. Designed for Indian conditions, the Rhino 5538 EV range available in 6×4 and 4×2 variants with battery swapping and fixed battery options targets high-utilisation corridors across ports, mining, cement and long-haul logistics, positioning electric heavy trucks as a viable lever in India’s low-carbon growth strategy.