TVS VMS Enters Electric Trucking with 57 Montra Electric Heavy Trucks

TVS Vehicle Mobility Solutions (TVS VMS) has entered the electric trucking segment through a collaboration with Montra Electric’s eM&HCV division, deploying its first fleet of electric heavy commercial vehicles for live freight operations.

The initial deployment comprises 57 Montra Electric Rhino 5538 EV 4×2 TT trucks, which were flagged off from Manesar on August 8. The vehicles will operate on a 190-km freight route in Chhattisgarh, supported by three dedicated charging stations.

The deployment marks TVS VMS’s first move into electric trucking after more than seven decades of operating conventional commercial vehicles. Its fleet management model will integrate vehicle leasing, driver operations, maintenance, insurance, charging infrastructure and connected telematics.

Companies target more than 300 electric trucks

Under the collaboration, Montra Electric and TVS VMS plan to deploy more than 300 electric trucks during FY2026-27.

The companies said the programme is intended to demonstrate the potential for lower operating costs and reduced total cost of ownership in high-utilisation freight applications.

The deployment will also provide a live operating environment to evaluate electric heavy commercial vehicles under sustained load and continuous-haul conditions.

Rhino 5538 targets heavy-duty freight

The Montra Rhino 5538 EV 4×2 TT is manufactured at Montra Electric’s Manesar facility. The electric tractor-trailer has a 55-tonne Gross Combination Weight (GCW) and is designed for long-haul freight operations.

Key specifications include:

• Battery: 282 kWh LFP
• Motor: Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor
• Peak power: 280 kW
• Peak torque: 2,000 Nm
• Gradeability: 18%
• Transmission: Six-speed AMT
• Tested range: Up to 198 km per charge on a loaded one-way/empty return duty cycle

The vehicle is available in both fixed-battery and battery-swapping configurations. The fixed-battery version can charge from 20% to 100% in approximately 60 minutes, while the swapping variant can replace its battery in less than six minutes.

Live freight operations to test EV economics

The deployment will allow TVS VMS and Montra Electric to gather operational data from high-utilisation freight services, including vehicle performance, charging requirements, maintenance and total cost of ownership.

The collaboration combines TVS VMS’s fleet lifecycle management capabilities with Montra Electric’s electric heavy commercial vehicle technology and charging ecosystem, reflecting the growing shift towards electrification in India’s road freight sector.