New Ponneri facility to produce EVIATOR e-SCVs with industry-leading 245 km range, signaling major expansion in India’s commercial EV sector.
March 12, 2025
Montra Electric has significantly strengthened its position in India’s rapidly evolving electric vehicle landscape with the inauguration of a dedicated manufacturing facility for electric small commercial vehicles (e-SCVs) in Ponneri, Chennai.
The state-of-the-art plant, operated by Montra’s e-SCV division TIVOLT Electric Vehicles Private Limited, spans approximately 500,000 square feet and boasts an annual production capacity of 50,000 vehicles targeting the small and light commercial vehicle segments.
Strategically positioned just 35 kilometers from Chennai city near the Kolkata highway, the facility was officially inaugurated by Arun Murugappan, Executive Chairman of Tube Investments of India Limited (TII), alongside Jalaj Gupta, Managing Director of TI Clean Mobility Private Limited (Montra Electric), and Saju Nair, CEO of Tivolt Electric Vehicles.
“TICMPL is proud to inaugurate its first dedicated e-SCV plant in Tamil Nadu,” said Murugappan during the ceremony. “We remain committed to innovative and sustainable clean mobility solutions. Montra Electric has been at the forefront of India’s EV transformation, and this plant marks a significant step forward in our journey.”
EVIATOR: Pushing Commercial EV Boundaries
The Ponneri facility will primarily manufacture Montra Electric’s flagship e-SCV, the EVIATOR, which the company touts as a breakthrough in the commercial electric vehicle segment. The vehicle demonstrates impressive technical specifications with an industry-leading certified range of 245 kilometers and real-world driving range of 170 kilometers.
Technical highlights include the highest power output in its category at 80 kW, accompanied by 300 Nm of torque, positioning it as a viable alternative to conventional fuel commercial vehicles. The company is backing the EVIATOR with an extended warranty of up to seven years or 250,000 kilometers.
“This facility is a testament to our vision of delivering cutting-edge, high-performance e-SCVs,” noted Jalaj Gupta. “The launch of this plant not only strengthens our production capabilities but also reinforces our commitment to providing industry-leading EV solutions.”
Industry analysts suggest that Montra’s focus on the commercial vehicle segment represents a strategic approach to India’s EV transition, targeting fleet operators and logistics companies that can more quickly realize the economic benefits of electric propulsion.
The EVIATOR also incorporates advanced telematics systems, which the company claims deliver over 95% fleet uptime, addressing one of the critical concerns for commercial operators considering the switch to electric vehicles.
Strategic Timing for Commercial EV Push
The plant opening comes as India’s commercial EV sector sees increasing interest from both established automotive players and new entrants. Government incentives, rising fuel costs, and growing corporate sustainability commitments have created favorable conditions for e-SCV adoption.
Montra Electric, which operates under the umbrella of the 120-year-old Murugappa Group, enters this space with significant industrial expertise and financial backing, potentially positioning it as a formidable competitor to both traditional commercial vehicle manufacturers and newer EV startups.
The Ponneri plant is expected to create substantial employment opportunities in the region while contributing to the development of a robust EV supply chain in Tamil Nadu, already a major automotive manufacturing hub.
With this latest expansion, Montra Electric appears poised to play a substantial role in India’s journey toward reduced carbon emissions in the transportation sector, particularly in the last-mile delivery and urban logistics segments where e-SCVs can deliver immediate environmental benefits.
