Montra Electric eM&HCV launched the Rhino 5538 EV 4×2 TT, a 55-ton electric truck, at its manufacturing facility in Manesar, Haryana on Saturday. The clean mobility brand of the Murugappa Group simultaneously introduced battery swapping technology for its Rhino truck range and inaugurated India’s first all-women monitored automated battery plant.
The Rhino 5538 EV 4×2 TT is powered by a 282 kWh LFP battery, delivering 380 HP and 2000 Nm torque with a range of 198 km on a single charge. The truck is priced at ₹1.15 crore (ex-factory) for the fixed-battery variant and comes with a 10-year/9 lakh km AMC contract offering 95% uptime guarantee.
The battery swapping technology allows battery changes in under 6 minutes, compared to over an hour with conventional fast charging. The automated swap station features a 7+1 configuration and can handle over 160 swaps per day at peak utilization, serving hundreds of vehicles based on fleet usage.
India’s electric commercial vehicle segment is gaining momentum with government support through initiatives like the PM E-DRIVE scheme. The heavy-duty truck segment represents one of the largest opportunities in commercial vehicle electrification, as logistics companies seek alternatives to reduce operational costs and meet sustainability targets.
Montra Electric’s existing Rhino 6×4 TT, India’s first heavy-duty electric truck, has covered over 1.2 crore kilometres within two years of launch, indicating market acceptance for electric freight solutions.
The launch event was attended by M A M Arunachalam (Arun Murugappan), Chairman, Montra Electric, and Vellayan Subbiah, Vice-Chairman, Montra Electric. The company also inaugurated a new conveyor line integrated with Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) at the facility.
“At Montra Electric, we are building products and services that directly address the biggest hurdles in commercial EV adoption. With innovations like battery swapping for heavy-duty trucks and purpose-built platforms across segments, we are making clean mobility seamless, reliable, and economically viable for fleet operators,” said Arun Murugappan, Chairman, Montra Electric.
Jalaj Gupta, Managing Director, Montra Electric, said: “It is a milestone in Montra Electric’s journey of putting India firmly on the global map of sustainable mobility with the introduction of battery swapping technology. Launch of the Rhino 5538 EV 4×2 TT, in one of the largest industry segments, demonstrates our commitment to innovation, localization, and sustainability.”
The Rhino 5538 EV 4×2 TT features a 6-speed AMT transmission, robust chassis frame, and compatibility with multiple trailer types. With a Gross Combination Weight of 55 tons, the truck is designed for Indian operating conditions and long-haul freight operations.
The vehicle will be available in two variants: one with battery swapping capability and another with a standard integrated battery pack. The drive-through design of swap stations enables trucks with trailers to move seamlessly, similar to toll plaza operations.
Montra Electric operates under four business verticals: Heavy Commercial Vehicle, Mid & Small Commercial Vehicles, Last Mile Three-wheelers, and Electric Tractors. The company’s portfolio includes the Rhino truck series, Eviator small commercial vehicle, Super Auto passenger vehicle, Super Cargo delivery solution, and E-27 electric tractor.
The Murugappa Group, Montra Electric’s parent company, is a 125-year-old conglomerate with ₹902 billion revenue and operations across agriculture, engineering, and financial services.