TVS VMS Enters Electric Trucking With Montra Electric, Targets 300+ E-Trucks in FY27

The first phase includes 57 Montra Rhino 5538 EV 4x2 TT electric trucks. These trucks will run on a 190-km freight route in Chhattisgarh. In addition, three dedicated charging stations will support the route.

The partnership marks TVS VMS' entry into electric trucking after more than seven decades of operating diesel fleets. Moreover, the companies aim to show that electric trucks can handle regular freight operations on long routes.

TVS VMS Starts With 57 Electric Trucks

The first 57 Montra electric trucks will support freight movement on the selected Chhattisgarh corridor. The three charging stations will help keep the trucks running during daily operations.

However, the companies have bigger plans for the coming year. They aim to deploy over 300 electric trucks during FY2026-27 as part of their wider push towards cleaner commercial transportation.

The companies expect the deployment to cut diesel use and reduce carbon emissions. At the same time, lower running costs could help fleet operators reduce their total cost of ownership.

Montra Sees Commercial Use as Key Validation

Jalaj Gupta, Managing Director, Montra Electric, said the deployment will help prove the company's electric truck technology in real freight operations.

"For a partner like TVS VMS, with seven decades of experience, putting our electric trucks into live freight operations is exactly the validation India's logistics industry needed. This is proof that our technology is ready for commercial scale," said Jalaj Gupta, Managing Director, Montra Electric.

Navneet Sethi, Chief Executive Officer, Montra Electric (eM&HCV Division), said the deployment also addresses concerns about electric heavy trucks handling continuous freight operations with heavy loads.

Perhaps, the real-world deployment will give fleet operators more insight into the performance of electric trucks under regular commercial conditions.

TVS VMS Expands Green Logistics Strategy

Madhu Raghunath, Chief Executive Officer of TVS VMS, said the partnership supports the company's green logistics plans.

The strategy combines electric trucks with TVS VMS' fleet management platform. The platform covers vehicle leasing, driver operations, maintenance, insurance, charging infrastructure and connected telematics.

In addition, this approach gives fleet operators access to several services through one integrated system. This can help simplify the shift from diesel trucks to electric vehicles.

Montra Rhino 5538 EV: Key Details

The Montra Rhino 5538 EV 4x2 TT comes with a 55-tonne Gross Combination Weight (GCW). Montra manufactures the electric tractor at its Manesar facility.

The truck uses a 282 kWh LFP battery and a permanent magnet synchronous motor. The motor produces 280 kW peak power and 2,000 Nm torque. The truck offers a tested range of up to 198 km per charge under a one-way loaded and one-way empty duty cycle.

Furthermore, buyers can choose between fixed-battery and battery-swap versions. The fixed-battery model can charge from 20% to 100% in around 60 minutes. Meanwhile, the battery-swap version can replace the full battery in under six minutes.

With this deployment, TVS VMS and Montra Electric aim to take electric heavy trucking from trials to regular freight operations. The planned 300-plus truck deployment in FY2026-27 could further expand the use of electric trucks in India's logistics sector.