Lucknow: Montra Electric, part of the Murugappa Group, has achieved a major milestone in India’s clean mobility journey by becoming the first manufacturer to receive PM E-Drive certification for a heavy-duty electric truck.
Marking this achievement, Montra Electric officially delivered India’s first PM E-Drive certified heavy electric truck — the Rhino 5538 EV 6×4 tractor trailer — to UltraTech Cement Limited, the country’s largest cement and ready-mix concrete company.
This landmark delivery highlights Montra Electric’s strong commitment to advancing electric mobility solutions across India’s logistics and industrial sectors.
PM E-Drive Scheme Accelerates Adoption of Electric Heavy Trucks
Under the Government of India’s ₹10,900 crore PM E-Drive scheme, ₹500 crore has been allocated specifically to promote electric trucks in the heavy-duty segment.
The Rhino 5538 EV qualifies for an incentive of up to ₹9.6 lakh per vehicle, significantly reducing operating costs for fleet operators and encouraging faster transition to electric commercial vehicles.
UltraTech Cement Becomes First Operator of PM E-Drive Certified EV Truck
The celebratory handover ceremony was attended by:
- Mr. Arun Murugappan, Chairman – Montra Electric (TI Clean Mobility)
- Mr. Jalaj Gupta, Managing Director – Montra Electric
- Mr. Sathiya Raj, Chief Procurement Officer – UltraTech Cement Limited
This initiative is expected to drive large-scale adoption of electric heavy trucks in logistics, mining, infrastructure, and manufacturing sectors.
Electric Trucks Offer High Performance with Lower Operating Costs
According to Montra Electric, switching from conventional fuel-based trucks to electric heavy-duty vehicles delivers multiple benefits, including:
- Reduced fuel and maintenance costs
- Stable operational economics unaffected by fuel price fluctuations
- Compliance with sustainability and emission norms
- High uptime and strong performance capabilities
The PM E-Drive certification marks a decisive step towards cleaner, more efficient, and future-ready freight transportation in India.
Government Vision: Decarbonizing Logistics and Building an EV Manufacturing Hub
Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister for Heavy Industries Mr. H.D. Kumaraswamy stated:
“The PM E-Drive scheme showcases India’s growing innovation capabilities in the heavy-duty electric vehicle segment. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we are committed to decarbonizing logistics and establishing India as a global hub for EV manufacturing.”