Montra Electric, a prominent arm of TI Clean Mobility and the Murugappa Group, has become the first commercial vehicle OEM in India to ink a strategic partnership with the National Highway for Electric Vehicles (NHEV) initiative. This milestone collaboration marks a bold leap toward decarbonizing India’s logistics sector by deploying over 1,000 electric trucks across multiple sectors and national highway routes.
Fast-Tracking Clean Freight Deployment
The agreement creates a robust framework for Montra Electric and NHEV (executed by the Ease of Doing Business agency) to collectively accelerate large-scale electric freight adoption. Key highlights include:
- Over 1,000 electric heavy commercial vehicles (HCVs) to be deployed across India over the next 18-24 months.
- Use of blended climate financing and pre-approved commercial terms to simplify and scale procurement for fleet operators and logistics providers.
- Empanelment in Connected Commercial Vehicle (CCV) protocols, ensuring seamless data integration and interoperability with future-ready charging and energy station networks.
Pilots, Real-World Testing, and Technology Integration
The rollout’s next phase involves live pilots on high-volume freight corridors as part of NHEV’s Tech Trial IV—evaluating Montra’s e-trucks under actual highway conditions. These pilots will:
- Generate real-world operational and commercial performance data, forming replicable models for other fleet operators across the country.
- Support the rapid evolution of intelligent transport management systems and data-powered route optimization for commercial EVs.
- Facilitate connected, “smart corridor” logistics through CCV protocol prototyping.
Blended Finance and Ecosystem Support
What sets this partnership apart is its commitment to financial innovation:
- Montra Electric and NHEV’s use of an Annuity Hybrid E-Mobility (AHEM) mechanism, blending climate finance instruments for more affordable e-truck acquisition and uptake.
- Focus on lowering the barriers for transporters through predictable cost structures, faster approvals, and dedicated support.
Leadership Vision
Abhijeet Sinha, National Program Director of Ease of Doing Business & NHEV, commented:
“This collaboration is about accelerating both the technical and commercial aspects of India’s electric freight revolution. Our integrated approach enables OEMs like Montra Electric to rapidly scale e-truck deployments with direct benefits to both transporters and end customers.”
Jalaj Gupta, Managing Director, Montra Electric, added:
“By moving from intent to execution with NHEV, we make electric trucking practical and profitable—empowering fleet operators across the country to adopt zero-emission logistics with confidence.”
Advancing India’s Net Zero and EV Logistics Vision
The partnership is tightly aligned with the Government of India’s vision to reduce logistics costs, enable zero-emission highways, and strengthen the domestic EV industry. Montra Electric’s portfolio—spanning heavy trucks, last-mile vehicles, and agricultural solutions—positions it as a pivotal player in the nation’s clean mobility future.
A Template for Scalable Electrification
As Montra Electric and NHEV roll out live pilots and expand their collaboration, the project stands as a prototype for nationwide clean freight. By breaking down operational, financing, and technology barriers in tandem, this alliance is set to propel India toward world leadership in electric commercial mobility—helping drive a cleaner, more efficient, and sustainable logistics ecosystem for generations to come.
