~ 250 Rhino 5538 EV 4×2 TractorTrailers are being deployed across an approximately 1,450 km route linkingNimbahera to Dahej and Tuna ports, with the first trucks already hauling fullpayloads on daily duty cycles
Nimbahera [Rajasthan], September 22: Montra Electric (eM&HCV Division), India’s full-spectrumelectric commercial vehicle brand from the Murugappa Group, and Wonder Cementare moving a 250-vehicle deployment of the Rhino 5538 EV 4×2 Tractor Trailerinto regular commercial service on India’s longest electric freight corridor.It is one of the largest heavy-duty electric truck commitments made by anIndian industrial company, and it is running on live cement logistics ratherthan as a contained pilot.
Initially 30 trucks were flagged off from Nimbahera WonderCement Plant in July 2026 and are already hauling full payloads on daily dutycycles. The fleet operates on the Nimbahera-Dahej Port and Nimbahera-Tuna Portroutes, spanning approximately 1,450 km across Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtraand Gujarat. The trucks run to the same operational schedule as a conventionaldiesel cement fleet, which is the only condition under which long-haulelectrification can be judged fairly.
The corridor is supported by dedicated charging infrastructurecomprising 13 charging stations, positioned so that the fleet can sustain dailylong-distance duty cycles inside the turnaround times that industrial logisticsoperations are built around.
The Montra Electric Rhino 5538 EV 4×2 Tractor Trailer is aheavy-duty electric tractor-trailer available with a 55-tonne (55t) GrossCombination Weight(GCW) option, purpose-built for demanding industrialapplications such as cement, coal and clinker haulage. It is powered by a 282kWh Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery paired with a Permanent MagnetSynchronous Motor (PMSM) that delivers 280 kW (380 HP) and 2,000 Nm of torque,with 18% continuous gradeability and a 6-speed Automated Manual Transmission(AMT) to handle sustained heavy loads. The vehicle offers a range of 198* kmand charges from 20-100% SOC (State of Charge) in 60 minutes, and is supportedby 95%+ assured uptime.
By committing a route of this length and intensity to electrictrucks, Wonder Cement is betting its inbound and outbound logistics on theresult. That is the shift the Indian freight market has been waiting for: heavyelectrification judged on payload, turnaround and daily availability ratherthan on a demonstration run.
“Sustainabilityis at the core of Wonder Cement’s growth strategy, driving innovation acrossour entire value chain. The deployment of around 250 electric trucks on a1,450-km industrial corridor is a significant step toward decarbonisinglogistics and reducing our environmental footprint beyond manufacturing. Inpartnership with Montra Electric, we are demonstrating that long-haul freightelectrification is both operationally reliable and commercially viable. Thisinitiative reinforces our commitment to responsible growth and supports India’stransition to a cleaner, low-carbon future while setting new sustainabilitybenchmarks for the cement industry.”
Mr. Kiran Patil, Managing Director, Wonder Cement
“India’sfreight emissions are concentrated on its long-haul industrial corridors, andthat is where electrification has to prove itself. With Wonder Cement, we areputting electric heavy trucks into daily, fully loaded, long duty cycles on oneof the country’s busiest freight routes. This deployment moves the questionfrom ‘whether electric trucks can handle long-haul freight?’ to ‘how quicklyfleets can scale them?’ It underpins our commitment to deploy around 250electric heavy commercial vehicles across India’s key industrial corridors.”
Mr. Jalaj Gupta, Managing Director, Montra Electric (TIClean Mobility Pvt. Ltd.)
“We aregrateful to Wonder Cement for its partnership and confidence in thisdeployment. Demonstrating commercial and operational viability on an intensive1,450-km industrial corridor establishes that sustainable long-haul logisticsis ready to scale today. Our vehicles have been engineered for precisely theseconditions at high utilisation, heavy payloads and demanding turnaround times.We are proud to work with Wonder Cement in setting this precedent for theindustry.”
Mr. Navneet Sethi, CEO (eM&HCV division), MontraElectric (IPLTech Electric Pvt. Ltd.)
The same operating profile that suits cement, coal and clinkermovement applies to steel, mining, infrastructure and port haulage, wherevehicles run fixed routes at high utilisation with predictable turnaroundwindows. Across its heavy-duty electric deployments in India, Montra Electrichas 750+ vehicles on the road, 30Mn+ km covered and 6Mn CO₂ saved.
*Under standard test conditions- one side loaded and one side empty.
About Montra Electric (TI Clean Mobility Private Limited,Murugappa Group)
Montra Electric (company name: TI Clean Mobility Private Limited) is a cleanmobility brand from the Murugappa Group, one of India’s oldest and mostrespected business conglomerates, with a legacy spanning 125 years. Drawing ondeep expertise in converting metal to mobility, earned over decades ofmanufacturing high-precision automotive and industrial components for India andglobal markets, and on a track record of building strong brands, MontraElectric has set out on a vision of clean mobility. The company operates underfour business verticals: Heavy Commercial Vehicles, Mid and Small CommercialVehicles, Last Mile Three Wheelers and Electric Tractors, including through itssubsidiaries. Its fast-expanding portfolio includes India’s first 55-tonneelectric trailertruck RHINO, the 3.5-tonne smallcommercial vehicle EVIATOR, the last mile passenger vehicle SUPER AUTO, thelast mile delivery solution SUPER CARGO and India’s first electric tractorE-27.
To know more, visit www.montraelectric.com
About Murugappa Group
A 125-year-old conglomerate with a presence across India and theworld, the INR 902 billion (90,178 crore) Murugappa Group has diversebusinesses in agriculture, engineering, financial services and more. The Grouphas 10 listed companies: Carborundum Universal Limited, CG Power &Industrial Solutions Limited, Cholamandalam Financial Holdings Limited,Cholamandalam Investment & Finance Company Limited, CoromandelInternational Limited, E.I.D.-Parry (India) Limited, NACL Industries Limited,Shanthi Gears Limited, Tube Investments of India Limited, and Wendt (India)Limited. Other major companies include Cholamandalam MS General InsuranceCompany Limited and Parry Agro Industries Limited. Brands such as Ajax,Hercules, BSA, Montra, Montra Electric, Mach City, Chola, Chola MS, CG Power,Shanthi Gears, CUMI, Gromor, Paramfos and Parry’s are part of the Group’sstable. Guided by the five lights of integrity, passion, quality, respect andresponsibility, and a culture of professionalism, the Group has a workforce of94,041 employees.
For more information, see www.murugappa.com
About Wonder Cement
Wonder Cement is a leading cement manufacturer in India,committed to delivering high-quality building materials while adoptingeco-friendly technology and sustainable manufacturing practices. Operatingstate-of-the-art facilities, Wonder Cement continuously invests inenvironmental stewardship and green supply chain initiatives.
Media contact
Anuradha Roy, Adfactors PR – Anuradha.roy@adfactorspr.com /7506916497
Montra Electric – contactus@montraelectric.com
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