TVS Vehicle Mobility Solutions has entered the electric trucking segment. The TVS VMS Partners with Montra Electric, has deployed 57 Rhino 5538 EV 4×2 TT electric heavy trucks in live freight operations.
In the first phase, these electric trucks will operate on a primary logistics route in Chhattisgarh, while both companies have set a target of deploying more than 300 electric trucks by FY 2026-27.
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The electric shift of commercial transportation in India is now visible in the heavy-duty trucking segment as well as passenger vehicles.
As a significant development in this direction, TVS Vehicle Mobility Solutions has entered electric trucking operations for the first time. The company has deployed its initial electric truck fleet in commercial freight operations through a strategic collaboration with Montra Electric.
In the first phase of this partnership, a total of 57 Montra Electric Rhino 5538 EV 4×2 TT trucks have been prepared for deployment. These trucks will be used for heavy freight movement on a dedicated logistics route in Chhattisgarh.
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TVS VMS Partners– First Entry into Electric Trucking
This TVS VMS Partners is significant because it marks the first time in its seven-decade-long commercial trucking journey that the company has integrated electric heavy trucks into live freight operations.
Until now, the company has operated with conventional internal combustion engine (ICE)-based commercial trucks. Deploying electric trucks on an actual freight route is an indication that EV adoption in the commercial vehicle industry is no longer limited to city delivery vehicles.
TVS VMS and Montra Electric’s focus is to evaluate operating costs, charging requirements, and fleet uptime by using electric trucks in real-world operating conditions.
57 Montra Rhino Electric Trucks to Run in Chhattisgarh
In the first phase, 57 Rhino 5538 EV 4×2 TT electric trucks will be deployed in commercial freight operations on a primary logistics route in Chhattisgarh.
On this route, trucks will cover a lead distance of approximately 190 km. Charging infrastructure is one of the most important factors in long-distance freight operations. With this in mind, three dedicated charging stations have been developed along the route as a support system.
The objective of this setup is to maintain trucks in regular freight operations and reduce unnecessary downtime due to charging.
Target of 300+ Electric Trucks in FY 2026-27
The initial deployment of 57 trucks is just the first phase. In the next stage of the TVS VMS Partners with Montra Electric have set a target of deploying more than 300 electric trucks during FY 2026-27.
If this target is achieved, it will be a significant step towards scaling the deployment of electric heavy-duty trucks in the commercial freight segment.
The broader objective of the partnership is to make electric trucks practical for large-scale commercial operations, where vehicle utilization, charging availability, maintenance and total operating cost are all important factors.
Montra Rhino 5538 EV: 55-Tonne Electric Truck
The Montra Rhino 5538 EV 4×2 TT used in this deployment is a heavy-duty electric tractor-trailer. According to the company, it has a Gross Combined Weight (GCW) of 55 tonnes and was developed with demanding long-haul freight applications in mind.
The truck is equipped with a 282 kWh Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery pack, which powers a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM).
Montra Rhino 5538 EV Specifications
| Specification | Montra Rhino 5538 EV |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Type | Electric Heavy Commercial Truck |
| Configuration | 4×2 TT |
| Gross Combination Weight | 55 tonnes |
| Battery | 282 kWh LFP |
| Motor | PMSM |
| Peak Power | 280 kW |
| Maximum Torque | 2,000 Nm |
| Gradeability | 18% |
| Transmission | 6-speed AMT |
| Tested Range | Up to 198 km |
| Charging | Fixed Battery / Battery Swap |
According to the company, the truck produces 280 kW of peak power and 2,000 Nm of torque. It features a 6-speed Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) with 18% gradeability, tuned for heavy-load applications.
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Range Up To 198 Km
Range is a major consideration in long-haul electric trucking. According to Montra Electric, the Rhino 5538 EV delivered a tested range of up to 198 km in a one-way loaded and one-way empty duty cycle.
This figure is given to represent a real-world operating cycle, where the truck operates loaded in one direction and empty on the return journey.
This range figure is particularly relevant in the context of the planned 190 km lead route in Chhattisgarh, as the truck will be deployed in regular freight operations with dedicated charging infrastructure.
Fixed Battery and Battery-Swap Options
The company is offering the Montra Electric Rhino 5538 EV in two configurations. One version comes with a fixed battery setup, while the other offers the option of battery-swap technology.
According to the company, fast charging the fixed-battery version from 20% to 100% state of charge takes approximately 60 minutes.
The battery-swap version eliminates the need for the truck to remain stationary for long periods of time for charging. The company claims that a complete battery replacement can be performed in less than 6 minutes.
An advantage of battery swapping on high-utilization commercial routes is that vehicle downtime can be kept relatively low.
Focus on Charging Infrastructure
Vehicle range alone is not sufficient to operate electric heavy trucks on a commercial scale. Dedicated charging infrastructure is equally important.
For this reason, TVS VMS Partners with Montra Electric have planned to set up three dedicated charging stations on the initial deployment route. The charging network will support the trucks for continuous operation on the route.
This approach could also provide an operating model for the deployment of larger electric truck fleets in the future.
Partnership Focuses on Lower TCO
Operating economics is a major factor in adopting electric commercial vehicles. The collaboration between TVS VMS and Montra Electric also aims to create lower operating costs and reduced Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for freight customers.
Electric trucks have a different energy cost, maintenance requirements, and fleet utilization equation compared to diesel trucks. However, vehicle uptime and charging infrastructure in heavy-duty trucking also directly impact overall economics.
Therefore, the Chhattisgarh deployment will provide companies with practical experience of electric truck operations in real-world freight conditions.
TVS VMS’s End-to-End Fleet Management Approach
TVS VMS is not limited to just providing electric trucks. According to the company, its end-to-end mobility management model covers areas such as vehicle leasing, driver operations, preventive maintenance, insurance, charging infrastructure, and connected telematics.
In the case of electric trucking, the role of connected telematics and fleet monitoring becomes even more important, as battery utilization, route planning, charging behavior, and vehicle uptime need to be continuously monitored.
TVS VMS is focused on making zero-emission commercial fleet operations commercially viable through this integrated approach.
An Important Milestone for Montra Electric
This collaboration with TVS VMS is crucial for Montra Electric from a technology validation perspective in the heavy commercial EV segment.
The company’s Rhino platform specifically targets heavy-duty freight applications. Deploying Rhino electric trucks in the real-world operations of an established fleet operator like TVS VMS provides the company with an opportunity to demonstrate vehicle performance under actual commercial usage conditions.
According to Navneet Sethi, CEO of Montra Electric’s eM&HCV division, there have been questions about the capabilities of electric HCVs in heavy-load industries, and TVS VMS’s live freight deployment is a step forward in the electrification of this segment.
Electric Trucking May Get a Push in India
Electric mobility adoption in India is expanding beyond passenger cars and three-wheelers to the commercial vehicle segment. However, electrification of heavy-duty trucks is comparatively challenging due to higher payloads, long operating hours, range requirements, and charging infrastructure.
This project by TVS VMS Partners with Montra Electric seeks to address this challenge through commercial operations.
If the initial 57-truck deployment results are positive and the companies achieve their 300+ electric truck FY 2026-27 target, the adoption of electric trucks in heavy freight operations could gain further momentum.
Auto India Daily Says…
TVS VMS Partners entry into electric trucking and Montra Electric’s deployment of Rhino 5538 EV trucks in live freight operations is a significant development for the commercial EV segment.
The most interesting part is not just the initial deployment of 57 electric trucks, but also a 190 km freight route, three dedicated charging stations, and a target of 300+ trucks by FY 2026-27.
The real test of EV adoption in heavy commercial vehicles is in actual freight operations. This deployment in Chhattisgarh will be important from this perspective. If Rhino electric trucks deliver the expected uptime, range, and operating economics, the role of electric trucks in India’s long-haul freight ecosystem could increase in the future.
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Raj Prajapati is a Senior Automotive Content Writer at AutoIndiaDaily. A B.Tech graduate in Computer Science and Engineering, he leverages over four years of experience covering Indian car and bike launches, EV tech, and market dynamics to break down complex automotive regulations into simple consumer guides. Specialising in Indian motor vehicle laws, IRDAI updates, and ownership costs, Raj translates technical auto policies into actionable advice for everyday drivers.