Montra Rhino 5538 EV Truck Launched In India With 6-Minute Battery Swap Tech

Montra Electric has launched the Rhino 5538 EV with an innovative 6-minute battery swapping solution. Aimed at long-haul freight and heavy-duty logistics, the Rhino 5538 EV is designed to address range anxiety and downtime issues that have limited adoption of electric trucks. Price begins at Rs 1.15 crore (ex-showroom) for the fixed-battery variant with Montra Electric’s exclusive AMC contract - coverage of 10 years or 9 lakh km, a guarantee of 95% uptime, advanced telematics, and customised financing solutions. The e-truck's launch coincides with Montra’s inauguration of a fully automated battery assembly plant in Tamil Nadu.

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Key Specifications and Performance

The Rhino 5538 EV comes in a

4x2 tractor-trailer layout with a gross combination weight (GCW) of 55 tonnes (55,000 kg). It is powered by a 282 kWh LFP battery pack, delivering 380 hp of maximum power and 2,000 Nm of peak torque. This unit is mated to a six-speed automated manual transmission (AMT). The truck offers a claimed range of up to 198 km on a single charge under real-world load conditions. The highlight feature is the battery swapping system, which allows fleet operators to exchange a depleted pack for a fully charged one in about six minutes, minimising downtime compared to conventional charging, which takes about one hour.

Strategic Importance And Market Impact

By introducing battery swapping at this scale, Montra aims to create a new ecosystem in India’s commercial vehicle sector. The company plans to roll out swap stations along key highway routes to support fleet adoption. The Rhino 5538 EV also signals a step towards reducing diesel dependency in the heavy truck segment, traditionally dominated by internal combustion models.

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What It Means For Fleet Operators

For operators, the Rhino 5538 EV offers the potential to reduce running costs, provided adequate charging or swapping infrastructure expands as promised. It is targeted at logistics companies that operate long-distance routes. It is suitable for freight corridors where minimising turnaround time is critical. The truck also comes with advanced braking systems, telematics integration, and electronic stability features to meet safety and operational demands of heavy transport.

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