Heavy Duty Truck Batteries

Montra Electric has unveiled fully automated battery plant in Manesar, advancing large-scale EV battery production for heavy-duty trucks, writes Richa Tyagi.

- Richa Tyagi

Montra Electric eM&HCV (IPLTech Electric Private Limited), part of the Murugappa Group, has made another strong stride in advancing clean mobility by unveiling a state-of-the-art, all-women monitored, fully automated battery manufacturing plant at its Manesar, Haryana facility. The launch coincided with the introduction of the Rhino 5538 EV 4x2 TT, a heavy-duty electric truck that integrates advanced battery swap technology, signifying the company's focus on innovation, localisation, and sustainable freight mobility.

Over the past few years, Montra Electric has built a comprehensive electric mobility portfolio catering to freight, logistics, and rural transportation segments. The Rhino brand encompasses a wide range of electric vehicles, including the 55-ton tractor trailer Rhino, the 3.5-ton small commercial vehicle Eviator, the last-mile passenger vehicle Super Auto, the delivery-focused Super Cargo, and India's first electric farm tractor, the E-27. The latest addition, the Rhino 5538 EV 4x2 TT, represents the next evolution of Montra's long-haul electric freight solutions, supported by one of India's most advanced battery manufacturing ecosystems.

Landmark Battery Manufacturing Facility

The newly inaugurated battery plant at Manesar serves as the cornerstone of Montra Electric's push toward technological self-reliance and high-efficiency production. With an annual capacity of 1.7 GWh, the plant can produce over 6,000 truck batteries per year, each engineered for reliability, longevity, and performance in India's demanding commercial vehicle environment.

What sets this facility apart is its all-women monitored operation, an industry first in India's EV manufacturing landscape. The plant combines cutting-edge automation with inclusivity and empowerment, where women lead operations, quality control, and data-driven process management.