Montra Electric, the green-mobility division of the Murugappa Group, has launched the Rhino 5538 EV 4x2 TT, a 55-ton electric tractor-trailer, from its Manesar plant in Gurugram.

Alongside the vehicle launch, the company introduced India's first automated battery-swap station operated entirely by women.

The facility incorporates a drive-through layout, similar to toll plazas, allowing trucks with trailers to enter and exit efficiently. The battery-swap station is designed on a 7+1 configuration with high automation levels and is capable of managing up to 160 battery swaps daily at peak operations.

Its controlled charging system enhances operational efficiency and contributes to improved battery longevity.

The Rhino 5538 EV is equipped with a 282 kWh LFP battery paired with an electric motor producing 385 PS and 2,000 Nm of torque, connected to a six-speed AMT gearbox.

Under standard test conditions, the vehicle provides a driving range of approximately 198 km. Buyers can select either a fixed-battery system or a swappable battery pack.

The swappable option allows a full battery replacement in under six minutes, significantly faster than conventional fast charging, which typically takes over an hour.

It is priced at Rs. 11.5 million (US$ 129,555) and includes a 10-year/900,000 km AMC package, a guaranteed uptime of 95%, advanced telematics, and flexible financing options for fleet operators.

The event also highlighted Montra Electric's new automated battery plant, monitored entirely by women, which incorporates a conveyor system with Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) for its medium- and heavy-commercial vehicle assembly line.

These systems are intended to increase manufacturing efficiency, reduce manual handling, and accelerate the localisation of advanced EV production technologies within India.