Montra Launches 55-Tonne EV Truck With Battery Swapping

03 Oct 2025 CW Team

Montra Electric, the clean mobility arm of the Murugappa Group’s TI Clean Mobility, has launched the Rhino 5538 EV 4×2 TT, expanding its heavy-duty electric truck portfolio. The company also introduced a battery swapping solution and inaugurated India’s first all-women monitored Automated Battery Plant at its Manesar facility in Haryana.

The Rhino 5538 EV 4×2 TT is a 55-tonne gross combination weight truck designed for long-haul freight. It is powered by a 282 kWh LFP battery delivering 380 HP and 2000 Nm torque, with a range of up to 198 km under standard conditions. Equipped with a 6-speed AMT transmission and robust chassis, it is compatible with multiple trailer types.

A major highlight is the battery swapping technology for the Rhino series, enabling a complete swap in under six minutes compared with over an hour using fast charging. The automated facility, designed with a 7+1 configuration, can handle up to 160 swaps daily. Its drive-through layout allows trucks with trailers to pass through seamlessly, while controlled charging extends battery life.

The fixed-battery version of the Rhino 5538 EV 4×2 TT is priced at Rs 11.5 million (ex-factory). Customers will benefit from Montra Electric’s 10-year/900,000 km annual maintenance contract, which guarantees 95 per cent uptime.

Alongside the truck launch, Montra inaugurated India’s first all-women monitored Automated Battery Plant, supported by a new conveyor line with Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs). These initiatives aim to enhance production efficiency, reduce manual processes, and strengthen local EV manufacturing capabilities.

Arun Murugappan, Chairman of Montra Electric, said: “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. Each step accelerates India’s shift towards cleaner logistics and a sustainable mobility ecosystem.”

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