More Retail Moves to Electric Vehicles for Mid-Mile Deliveries

More Retail, one of India's major supermarket chains, has brought 150 of its 600 mid-mile delivery vehicles onto electric power, with 25 additional Montra Electric EVIATOR small commercial vehicles flagged off in Bengaluru on October 1. The move puts roughly 30% of the retailer's mid-mile fleet on electric, as the company works toward a fully electric distribution network.

The vehicles in operation are the Montra Electric EVIATOR, a 3.5-tonne electric small commercial vehicle manufactured by TI Clean Mobility Private Limited, a subsidiary of the Murugappa Group. The 110 EVIATORs currently deployed are estimated to cover a minimum of 22,000 km per day across the retailer's distribution routes, which the company projects will reduce tailpipe CO₂ emissions by over 1,750 tonnes annually.

More Retail EV Fleet Performance and Running Costs

More Retail's National Transport Manager Prasanna Hegde said the fleet has logged over 8.8 lakh kilometres since deployment. He cited reliability, lower operating costs, and driver comfort as factors in the rollout. "The move from ICE vehicles to Montra Electric's EVIATOR e-SCVs has been smooth across our distribution network," he said.

Montra Electric EVIATOR: Load Deck, Payload and Fleet Tech

The EVIATOR features a 10.3-foot load deck—the largest in its segment—and a payload capacity of up to 1,707 kg. The vehicles are equipped with fleet management systems that provide real-time battery status, driver behaviour data, and route optimisation tools. The shift from diesel and petrol vehicles is driven by lower energy and maintenance costs, as well as gearless operation in urban traffic.

Why Fleet Operators Are Electrifying Mid-Mile Logistics

Saju Nair, CEO of the e-SCV Division at Montra Electric, said the partnership reflects a shift in how logistics operators are approaching electrification. "More Retail's journey towards 100% electrification with our EVIATOR is a strong example of that shift—from evaluating EVs as an alternative to deploying them as a core part of everyday logistics," he said.

Mid-mile logistics refers to the movement of goods between distribution centres and retail outlets, a segment that has seen increased interest from fleet operators seeking to manage fuel costs and comply with urban emissions norms.

About Montra Electric, Murugappa Group and More Retail

Montra Electric's portfolio includes electric three-wheelers, small and heavy commercial vehicles, and tractors. The Murugappa Group, under which TI Clean Mobility operates, is a 126-year-old conglomerate with businesses across engineering, agriculture, and financial services, with 10 listed companies on Indian exchanges. More Retail operates supermarkets and hypermarkets across India, supplying groceries and consumer goods to hundreds of stores nationwide.