Montra Electric SCV Launch 2026 Rank: Expansion Overview
- Next SCV Debut: New sub-3.5-tonne electric truck in 2026 on the Eviator platform – lower tonnage variant in 2–3.5T category.
- LCV Entry: Light commercial vehicle (3.5–7.5T) launch to follow in 2026, pending market study for electrification viability.
- Eviator Lineup: 10 variants across battery & application configs; certified 245 km range, real-world 170 km, 80 kW power, 300 Nm torque.
- Market Boom: The SCV segment hit 310,696 units in FY25 (1/3 of 956K total CVs); EV penetration is at 1%, eyeing 5% in 2026, 20% by 2030.
- Sales Network: 20 touchpoints now, expanding to 25 by FY26 end; focus on large fleet customers this year, volume scaling next.
- Ambitions: $1B revenue by 2030 (50%+ from M&HCV); full CV portfolio including heavy trucks, 3Ws, tractors.
- Facilities: Ponneri plant (50K capacity/year, 5-lakh sq ft); Manesar for M&HCV (recent Rhino 5538 EV tractor-trailer launch).
Montra Electric Gears Up for SCV Dominance: 2026 Launch on Horizon
Chennai’s electric mobility powerhouse, Montra Electric—the EV arm of the storied Murugappa Group—is accelerating its commercial vehicle assault with a duo of exciting debuts slated for next year. Fresh off rolling out its flagship 3.5-tonne Eviator earlier in 2025, the company is plotting a sub-3.5-tonne electric truck launch in the 2–3.5-tonne sweet spot, followed closely by an entry into the light commercial vehicle (LCV) arena spanning 3.5–7.5 tonnes. This strategic expansion, as shared by SCV division CEO Saju Nair in an exclusive with Autocar Professional, underscores Montra’s bullish bet on electrified logistics amid India’s booming e-commerce and last-mile frenzy.
Eviator Evolution: 10 Variants and a Lighter Sibling Incoming
The Eviator, Montra’s trailblazing e-SCV with its industry-leading 245 km certified range (170 km real-world), 80 kW power, and 300 Nm torque, is just the starting gun. “On this platform, we will have around 10 variants across different battery configurations and application configurations,” Nair revealed. These tweaks will cater to diverse payloads and duties, from urban parcel hustles to semi-rural hauls. But the real excitement? A forthcoming lower-tonnage model within the same 2–3.5-tonne bracket, honing in on the sub-3.5-tonne niche where EV economics shine brightest: shorter routes, predictable cycles, and fleet-friendly TCO.
Nair added, “In addition to that, we will very soon be entering the slightly lower tonnage segment with another product… After that, maybe we will have a higher-tonnage product also. These are the immediate plans.” This modular approach leverages the Ponneri plant’s 50,000-unit annual capacity, spread across a sprawling 5-lakh sq ft facility dedicated to SCV/LCV production.
LCV Ambitions: Probing the 3.5–7.5T Frontier
Hot on the SCV heels? A potential LCV foray. “We are right now studying that market and seeing what the sort of electrification potential is there, and if the volumes make sense, then we will go into it next year,” Nair noted. With LCVs clocking just 61,422 units in FY25—a sliver of the broader CV pie—but ripe for green disruption via ESG-driven fleets and government incentives, Montra is treading smartly. Success here could catapult the brand into mid-mile mastery, bridging last-mile SCVs with heavy haulers.
India’s SCV Surge: The Perfect Storm for EVs
No secret why Montra’s timing is impeccable: India’s goods carrier market exploded to 956,671 units in FY25 (excluding 3Ws), with SCVs (2–3.5T) snagging a commanding 310,696, nearly one in three. Sub-2T pickups added 155,927, underscoring a decade-long boom from FY14’s modest 360,000 to today’s near-half-million mini-truck frenzy. E-commerce giants like Amazon and Flipkart, urban sprawl, and retail revolutions are fueling this, making SCVs the undisputed “sweet spot” for electrification.
Why? Shorter, repeatable routes mean batteries last longer, utilization stays high (80%+), and opex plummets up to 30% savings vs. diesel. Yet EV penetration lingers at a mere 1%, per Montra. “With several new electric SCV models being launched into the market,” Nair forecasts a jump to 5% next year, ballooning to 20% by decade’s end. Tailwinds abound: FAME-III subsidies, state EV policies, and corporates chasing net-zero ESG scores.
Network & Strategy: From Pilots to Scale
Montra’s playbook is pragmatic: 20 sales touchpoints nationwide today, swelling to 25 by FY26 close. “This year our target is to get into as many use cases as possible and push vehicles to as many large customers as possible. Then from next year, we will focus on scaling up the volume,” Nair outlined. Pain points like driver ergonomics, cargo optimization, and efficiency gaps? Montra’s flipping them into USPs, with Eviator’s extended 7-year/2.5-lakh km warranty as proof.
This SCV/LCV blitz fits a grander vision: A full-spectrum electric CV empire—heavy trucks via IPLTech Electric’s Manesar plant (home to the new Rhino 5538 EV 4×2 tractor-trailer), mid/small CVs, last-mile 3Ws, and even electric tractors. The endgame? $1 billion in revenue by 2030, with over half from M&HCVs, riding waves of policy support and private fleet greening.
Source: www.autocarpro.in
Read more about EV News
Also Read
- South Korea’s L&F Slashes Value of Battery Material Supply Deal with Tesla: From $2.9 Billion to $7.386 Million
- Demand for China’s lithium batteries slump early 2026: CPCA Head Warns of Sharp Drop
- Why Silver Price Has Been Surging Even More Than Gold: 2025 Rally Breaks $80 Amid Supply Squeeze and Industrial Demand
- JSW MG Motor India Assured Buy Back For EV Announced: Comprehensive Program to Eliminate Resale Worries
- New EV Manufacturing Unit YEIDA Sector 8D: Neenjas Electric Gets LoI for Chargers and Solar Banks
- 400 Km In 5 Minutes BYD Flash Charging EV Technology: Megawatt Power Explained
