Montra Electric Deploys 250 Rhino EV Trucks for Wonder Cement on 1,450-km Freight Corridor

Key Highlights

• Around 250 Montra Electric Rhino 5538 EV trucks deployed

• India's longest 1,450-km electric freight corridor launched

• 13 charging stations with 39 chargers support operations

• Fleet expected to cut 39,500 tonnes of CO₂ annually

• 55-tonne EV trucks built for long-haul cement transport

Wonder Cement and Montra Electric have announced the deployment of around 250 Montra Electric Rhino 5538 EV 4×2 TT heavy-duty electric trucks, marking one of the largest electric truck commitments in India's commercial vehicle industry. The deployment is expected to accelerate the adoption of electric heavy-duty transport while proving that EVs are ready for demanding long-haul freight operations.

The electric truck fleet will operate on the Nimbahera, Dahej Port and Nimbahera–Tuna Port routes, covering nearly 1,450 km across Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat. This makes it India's longest commercial electric freight corridor.

Designed for Daily Long-Haul Operations

The fleet has been planned to operate just like conventional diesel trucks. The vehicles will carry fully loaded cement cargo on daily duty cycles, demonstrating that electric heavy trucks can handle long-distance freight without compromising operational efficiency.

To support uninterrupted operations, the corridor has been equipped with 13 dedicated charging stations featuring 39 chargers, allowing trucks to complete daily trips while meeting industrial logistics turnaround requirements.

Montra Rhino 5538 EV: Built for Heavy Industrial Transport

The Montra Electric Rhino 5538 EV 4×2 TT is a 55-tonne Gross Combination Weight (GCW) electric tractor-trailer developed specifically for heavy industrial applications such as cement and steel transportation.

Key specifications include:

• 282 kWh Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery

• Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM)

• 280 kW peak power

• 2,000 Nm torque

• 18% gradeability

• 6-speed Automated Manual Transmission (AMT)

The truck delivers a tested driving range of up to 198 km per charge under real-world operating conditions, based on a one-way loaded and one-way empty duty cycle.

Fast Charging and Battery Swap Options

The Rhino 5538 EV is available in two variants to suit different fleet requirements.

The standard fixed-battery version supports fast charging from 20% to 100% State of Health (SOH) in around 60 minutes, while the battery-swap version allows a complete battery replacement in less than six minutes, significantly reducing downtime for high-utilization routes.

Addressing Key Challenges in Electric Freight

According to Montra Electric, this deployment directly tackles the three major challenges that have slowed electric truck adoption in India's long-haul freight sector:

• Driving range

• Heavy payload capability

• Sustained battery performance under demanding operating conditions

By deploying these trucks on one of India's busiest cement transport routes, the company aims to create a scalable model that can be adopted by other bulk cargo industries.

Significant Environmental Benefits

Once all 250 electric trucks are deployed, the fleet is expected to reduce approximately 39,500 tonnes of CO₂ emissions every year, supporting India's transition toward cleaner and more sustainable freight transportation.

Leadership Comments

Kiran Patil, Managing Director, Wonder Cement, said sustainability remains central to the company's growth strategy. He noted that deploying around 250 electric trucks on a 1,450-km industrial corridor is a major step toward reducing logistics-related emissions. He added that the partnership with Montra Electric demonstrates that long-haul freight electrification is both operationally reliable and commercially viable while supporting India's low-carbon future.

Jalaj Gupta, Managing Director, Montra Electric (TI Clean Mobility Pvt. Ltd.), said India's freight emissions are heavily concentrated on long-haul industrial corridors, making them the ideal place to prove the capabilities of electric trucks. He stated that this deployment shifts the conversation from whether electric trucks can handle long-haul operations to how quickly fleets can adopt them at scale. He also reaffirmed Montra Electric's commitment to deploying around 250 electric heavy commercial vehicles across key industrial corridors.

Navneet Sethi, CEO (eM&HCV Division), Montra Electric (IPLTech Electric Pvt. Ltd.), thanked Wonder Cement for its partnership and confidence in the project. He said the successful deployment on a demanding 1,450-km corridor demonstrates that sustainable long-haul logistics is ready for large-scale adoption today, with vehicles engineered for heavy payloads, high utilization and demanding turnaround times.

Strengthening India's Electric Freight Ecosystem

The Wonder Cement project forms part of Montra Electric's broader strategy to deploy more than 250 electric heavy commercial vehicles across major industrial corridors in India. The initiative highlights the growing momentum behind electric heavy-duty transport and showcases how dedicated charging infrastructure, advanced vehicle technology, and industry collaboration can accelerate the decarbonization of India's freight sector.

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CMV360 Says

The deployment of around 250 Montra Electric Rhino 5538 EV trucks by Wonder Cement marks a major milestone in India's electric freight journey. Operating on the country's longest 1,450-km electric logistics corridor, the project proves that heavy-duty EVs can successfully handle long-haul industrial transport. With dedicated charging infrastructure, advanced truck technology, and significant carbon emission savings, this initiative sets a strong example for the future of sustainable commercial logistics in India.