Montra Electric eHCV, a division of the Murugappa Group’s TI Clean Mobility, has become the first electric trucks original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to sign a strategic partnership with the Government of India’s National Highway for Electric Vehicles (NHEV) initiative.
The collaboration, which includes NHEV’s piloting agency Ease of Doing Business (EoDB), aims to accelerate the deployment of over 1,000 electric trucks across major routes and sectors nationwide. The core objective is to establish a commercially viable, replicable framework for clean freight transport at scale.
Execution and financing:
Under the agreement, Montra Electric will leverage blended climate financing, including the Annuity Hybrid E-Mobility (AHEM) instrument, and pre-agreed commercial terms to streamline the adoption process for fleet operators. The partnership will also involve prototyping connected commercial vehicle (CCV) protocols to ensure seamless integration with future charging and energy station networks.
Live pilots are scheduled to commence soon as part of NHEV’s Tech Trial IV on key highway corridors.
Leadership opines:
Commenting on the landmark agreement, Jalaj Gupta, Managing Director, Montra Electric (TICM), emphasized the immediate impact of the partnership.
“This partnership is about moving from intent to execution. By working with EoDB, we will lower the barriers to adoption and make electric trucking a practical, profitable choice for transporters and end customers across the country.”
Abhijeet Sinha, National Program Director of Ease of Doing Business & NHEV, highlighted the technical and commercial facilitation the partnership provides.
“This collaboration is to facilitate IPL Tech with ease of doing business through emerging tech piloting services… It will cover both technical and commercial aspects for accelerated deployment by empaneling the OEM in the connected commercial vehicle protocol of the Indian electric highways, enabling an advanced intelligent transport management system.”
A boost for green logistics:
The initiative is closely aligned with the government’s long-term vision to decarbonize freight transportation, significantly reduce logistics costs, and strengthen the overall electric vehicle ecosystem in India.
Montra Electric’s portfolio includes the RHINO, India’s first 55-ton electric truck trailer. The Murugappa Group subsidiary sees this agreement as a crucial step toward solidifying India’s transition to sustainable freight mobility.
