Action TESA deploys seven Montra electric tractors at Visakhapatnam plant

Action TESA has deployed seven Montra Electric E-45 electric tractors at its manufacturing facility in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, to handle internal material movement, introducing electric-powered equipment into its medium-density fibreboard (MDF) production operations.

The deployment, announced on 5 November 2026, is intended to reduce the facility’s dependence on diesel-powered material-handling equipment. The tractors will be used for routine plant logistics, with their operational performance, reliability and suitability for industrial applications to be assessed during regular operations.

Electric tractor deployment targets diesel and operating cost reductions

According to company estimates, the seven electric tractors could collectively save approximately 50,000 litres of diesel annually and avoid 131 tonnes of tailpipe carbon dioxide emissions. The deployment is also expected to reduce annual operating expenditure by around ₹40 lakh.

These figures represent projected benefits rather than verified operational results. The emissions estimate covers tailpipe carbon dioxide and does not account for the full lifecycle emissions associated with electricity generation, vehicle manufacturing or other factors.

Montra Electric managing director Jalaj Gupta identified the MDF and plywood industries as potential markets for electric material-handling equipment. Action TESA managing director Vivek Jain said the company was evaluating alternatives that could reduce diesel consumption while maintaining operational performance.

Visakhapatnam facility expands Action TESA’s manufacturing capacity

The electric tractor deployment follows the commissioning of Action TESA’s manufacturing facility at Ramabilli in Visakhapatnam in October 2026. The company said the new facility doubled its annual production capacity and was established to strengthen its presence in southern and eastern India.

Established in 2009 as part of the Action Group, Action TESA also operates a manufacturing facility in Sitarganj, Uttarakhand. Its product portfolio includes MDF, particle boards, specialised engineered-wood panels and flooring, serving the furniture and interior design industries.

The Visakhapatnam facility provides the operational setting for the electric tractor deployment, with material transportation forming part of the plant’s internal logistics requirements.

ANDRITZ supplies MDF refining technology for the plant

Action TESA’s investment in Visakhapatnam also includes production equipment supplied by Austrian technology group ANDRITZ.

In November 2025, ANDRITZ announced an order to supply a pressurised refining system for the facility’s MDF production operations. The system was specified with a fibre-processing capacity of 33 tonnes per hour.

The equipment package includes a plug screw feeder, an S1056 refiner, a pressurised digester and a material-feeding system.

While the ANDRITZ equipment supports fibre processing and MDF production, the Montra electric tractors are intended for internal material movement. The two investments address separate operational requirements at the manufacturing facility.

Montra Electric expands its electric tractor technology programme

Montra Electric, backed by the Murugappa Group, is developing its commercial electric vehicle portfolio, which includes electric tractors.

In March 2026, Carraro India announced an agreement with TI Clean Mobility, the company behind Montra Electric, to industrialise an electric transmission system for a new generation of agricultural tractors.

The agreement relates to Montra’s broader tractor development programme. However, the announcement does not establish whether the transmission technology covered by that contract is used in the seven E-45 tractors deployed at Action TESA’s facility.

Operational performance will determine projected savings

The deployment will allow Action TESA to evaluate electric tractors under the daily operating conditions of an MDF manufacturing facility.

The company has not disclosed independently verified operating data or a projected payback period for the investment. Actual savings will depend on vehicle utilisation, electricity and charging costs, maintenance requirements and the extent to which diesel-powered equipment is replaced.

The deployment also provides an industrial use case for electric tractors beyond conventional agricultural applications, particularly in manufacturing facilities with regular internal cargo and material-handling requirements.

FAQs

How many Montra electric tractors has Action TESA deployed?

Action TESA has deployed seven Montra Electric E-45 tractors at its manufacturing facility in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

What will the electric tractors be used for?

The tractors will support internal material movement and routine material-handling operations within Action TESA’s MDF manufacturing facility.

How much diesel could the deployment save annually?

According to company estimates, the seven tractors could save approximately 50,000 litres of diesel annually.

What are the projected financial and environmental benefits?

The deployment is expected to avoid 131 tonnes of annual tailpipe carbon dioxide emissions and reduce operating expenditure by approximately ₹40 lakh per year. These are projected figures, not independently verified savings.

Where is Action TESA’s new manufacturing facility located?

The facility is located at Ramabilli in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. It was commissioned in October 2026 and doubled the company’s annual production capacity, according to Action TESA.