Montra Electric Makes History: India’s First PM E-DRIVE Certified Electric Truck Delivered

Lucknow : In a landmark moment for India’s green logistics, Montra Electric, the electric heavy-vehicle arm of the Murugappa Group, has become the nation's first manufacturer to receive certification under the Government’s PM E-DRIVE Scheme. Celebrating this feat, the company delivered the inaugural certified heavy-duty electric truck—the Rhino 5538 EV 6x4 Tractor Trailer—to UltraTech Cement Limited, India’s largest cement producer.

The official handover took place in the presence of Shri Arun Murugappan, Chairman of Montra Electric, and top executives from UltraTech Cement. This certification marks a tectonic shift for the logistics and mining sectors, as it validates the commercial viability of high-performance electric freight.

Boosting the Green Economy
The INR 10,900 crore PM E-DRIVE scheme includes a dedicated Rs 500 crore outlay for e-trucks. For fleet operators, this translates into a massive direct benefit of up to ₹9.6 lakh per vehicle for the Rhino 5538 EV. This incentive drastically lowers the total cost of ownership (TCO), making electric trucks a competitive alternative to conventional diesel fleets.

"Electric trucks are pivotal to our Net Zero goals," stated Shri H.D. Kumaraswamy, Union Minister for Heavy Industries. "By fostering a self-reliant ecosystem through such certifications, we are driving the spirit of Atmanirbhar Viksit Bharat."

Powering Future Freight
The Rhino 5538 EV is designed for heavy-duty industrial applications. By transitioning to electric, large-scale operators like UltraTech can significantly reduce their carbon footprint while enjoying:

• Protection against fuel price volatility.
• Reduced maintenance and operating costs.
• Compliance with stringent global emission norms.

This milestone reinforces India’s ambition to become a global hub for EV manufacturing and sets the stage for the rapid decarbonization of the country’s industrial supply chain.