The Government of India’s PM E-DRIVE scheme has begun translating policy intent into market impact with Montra Electric becoming the first manufacturer to receive N3-category certification for a heavy-duty electric truck. The milestone was marked by the delivery of India’s first PM E-DRIVE–certified electric heavy truck—the Rhino 5538 EV 6×4 tractor trailer to UltraTech Cement Limited.
From a policy perspective, the certification strengthens the economic case for electrifying freight. Under the ₹10,900-crore PM E-DRIVE programme, ₹500 crore has been allocated specifically for e-trucks, translating into customer incentives of up to ₹9.6 lakh per vehicle for the Rhino 5538 EV. This intervention directly addresses high upfront costs—one of the main barriers to adoption—while supporting long-term gains through lower operating expenses, reduced fuel import dependence and alignment with evolving emission norms.
Union Minister for Heavy Industries H. D. Kumaraswamy said the scheme reflects the government’s commitment to decarbonising logistics under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while building a self-reliant domestic EV manufacturing ecosystem. Designed for Indian conditions, the Rhino 5538 EV range available in 6×4 and 4×2 variants with battery swapping and fixed battery options positions electric heavy trucks as a critical policy lever in India’s transition toward cleaner, more efficient freight movement.
