TVS Vehicle Mobility Solutions (TVS VMS), one of India’s leading logistics companies and part of the TVS Mobility Group, has entered the electric heavy commercial vehicle segment through a strategic partnership with Montra Electric. The collaboration marks a major step in the country’s transition towards sustainable freight transportation, with both companies planning to deploy more than 300 electric trucks during FY2026-27.
As part of the first phase, TVS VMS has inducted 57 Montra Electric Rhino 5538 EV 4×2 TT electric heavy-duty trucks into its commercial fleet. The vehicles will be deployed on a key freight corridor in Chhattisgarh, operating over a 190-kilometre route. Three dedicated charging stations have been established along the route to ensure uninterrupted operations and maximise vehicle availability.
The partnership represents TVS VMS’s first move into electric trucking after more than seven decades of operating diesel-powered commercial vehicles. The initiative is expected to reduce carbon emissions, lower diesel consumption and improve the total cost of ownership for fleet operations while supporting India’s clean mobility and net-zero goals. Senior leaders from both organisations attended the flag-off ceremony at Montra Electric’s manufacturing facility in Manesar, highlighting the strategic importance of the collaboration.
Jalaj Gupta, Managing Director of Montra Electric, said the decision by TVS VMS to deploy the company’s electric trucks in live freight operations demonstrates the readiness of electric heavy commercial vehicles for large-scale commercial use. He added that the partnership combines vehicle technology, route planning, charging infrastructure and telematics to deliver dependable performance under real operating conditions.
Navneet Sethi, Chief Executive Officer of Montra Electric’s eM&HCV Division, said the deployment addresses long-standing concerns about the ability of electric trucks to handle continuous heavy-load operations. He noted that the project demonstrates that electric heavy trucks are now capable of meeting the demands of commercial freight transportation.
Madhu Raghunath, Chief Executive Officer of TVS Vehicle Mobility Solutions, said the partnership supports the company’s vision of building a greener logistics network through integrated fleet solutions covering vehicle leasing, maintenance, charging infrastructure, driver management, insurance and connected telematics.
The Montra Rhino 5538 EV 4×2 TT is a 55-tonne gross combination weight electric tractor-trailer designed for long-haul freight applications. It is powered by a 282 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery and a permanent magnet synchronous motor delivering 280 kW of peak power and 2,000 Nm of torque. The truck offers a tested driving range of up to 198 kilometres per charge and is available with both fast-charging and battery-swapping options, enabling efficient operations with minimal downtime.
Montra Electric, the clean mobility brand of TI Clean Mobility Private Limited, is part of the Murugappa Group, one of India’s longstanding business groups with a 125-year legacy. The company combines the Group’s experience in precision engineering and automotive manufacturing with its expertise in building established brands to develop electric mobility solutions for the Indian market.
Montra Electric operates across four key segments: Heavy Commercial Vehicles, Mid and Small Commercial Vehicles, Last-Mile Three-Wheelers, and Electric Tractors. Its growing portfolio includes the RHINO 55-ton electric truck trailer, EVIATOR 3.5-ton small commercial vehicle, SUPER AUTO last-mile passenger vehicle, SUPER CARGO last-mile delivery vehicle and E-27 electric tractor.
The company is backed by the Murugappa Group, which has a presence across agriculture, engineering, financial services and other sectors. With a workforce of more than 94,000 employees, the Group operates through several listed and unlisted businesses and has a portfolio of well-known brands across diverse industries.
TVS Vehicle Mobility Solutions (TVS VMS), part of the TVS Mobility Group, provides end-to-end automotive mobility and vehicle lifecycle management services in India. Its offerings include vehicle leasing, fleet and driver management, preventive maintenance, insurance administration, charging infrastructure deployment and connected telematics solutions. The company focuses on providing integrated mobility services that help businesses manage their vehicle fleets efficiently and support the transition towards cleaner transportation.
