The electric mini-truck segment in India is heating up as fleet operators and individual owners look for zero-emission solutions for urban logistics. Two names that come up frequently in this space are the Montra Eviator E 350 and the EKA 1.5T. Both are built for last-mile delivery, but they come from different engineering philosophies and target slightly different use cases. This comparison breaks down what we know from official sources to help you decide which one fits your business better.
Montra Eviator E 350 Overview
Montra Electric, part of the Murugappa Group, has expanded its Eviator range with purpose-built electric small commercial vehicles. The Eviator E 350 is positioned as a 32 kWh variant designed specifically for urban last-mile delivery. According to company announcements, the Eviator 350 sits alongside the Eviator 350L+ in the lineup, giving buyers a choice of battery capacity and load body length for different route profiles.
The broader Eviator platform (as detailed in earlier specifications) uses a permanent magnet synchronous motor producing 80 kW of power and 300 Nm of torque. It carries a 40 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery pack delivering a claimed range of 170 km on a full charge. The vehicle has a gross vehicle weight of 3,490 kg and a rated payload of 1,705 kg. Its load body measures 10 feet 4 inches, which is longer than many rivals, making it suitable for volumetric cargo like FMCG boxes, garments, and pharmaceutical products.
Ground clearance stands at 197 mm, and gradeability is rated at 35 percent, allowing it to handle steep ramps and uneven urban roads. The cabin offers a driver-plus-two seating arrangement, LED headlights and taillights, a digital instrument cluster, infotainment system, automatic climate control, electric power steering, reverse parking camera, hill hold assist, and an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) — features that are uncommon in this segment and point to a focus on driver comfort and safety.
Charging options include a 7.4 kW AC charger taking about 6 hours 43 minutes for a 10–100 percent state of charge, and a 30 kW DC fast charger that can do the same in roughly 1 hour 29 minutes. The regenerative braking system and controller architecture are tuned to recover energy during deceleration, which helps stretch real-world range in stop-and-go traffic.
EKA 1.5T (K1.5) Overview
EKA Mobility, a Pune-based electric commercial vehicle manufacturer backed by Mitsui & Co. of Japan and VDL Groep of the Netherlands, offers the K1.5 electric delivery van. The company has positioned this model squarely at urban logistics, with battery technology specifically designed for city duty cycles. A notable real-world deployment is the supply of 10 K1.5 vans to IKEA for last-mile deliveries across Bangalore, Pune, Hyderabad, and Mumbai as part of IKEA’s goal to reach zero-emission freight by 2040.
EKA Mobility reported a 5x year-on-year volume growth in FY 2025-26, selling 1,143 units out of 1,344 electric commercial vehicles manufactured. The company holds PLI certification and Champion OEM status under the Automotive PLI Scheme. Its planned annual capacity for small commercial vehicles is 24,000 units, supported by two operational plants in Pune and a third coming up in Pithampur, Madhya Pradesh. The dealership network is expanding to cover Tier 1, 2, and 3 cities with 120 new outlets planned in the current financial year.
While detailed public specifications for the K1.5 (1.5T) variant are limited in the available sources, the vehicle is described as an electric delivery van with urban-focused battery technology. EKA’s broader SCV portfolio includes the 3S and 6S passenger vehicles and a 3-wheeler cargo platform, indicating a modular approach to last-mile mobility. The company also collaborates with KPIT Technologies and BPCL on hydrogen fuel cell buses, showing a wider clean-mobility roadmap.
Performance and Range Comparison
The Montra Eviator E 350 uses a 32 kWh battery pack, while the higher-spec Eviator variant uses a 40 kWh pack delivering 170 km claimed range. The EKA K1.5’s exact battery capacity and range figures are not publicly disclosed in the provided sources, but the company emphasizes its urban-optimized battery chemistry and fast-charging capability for high-utilization fleets. Both vehicles use permanent magnet synchronous motors, but the Eviator’s 80 kW / 300 Nm output is explicitly stated, giving it strong torque for loaded starts and gradient climbing. EKA’s motor specifications for the K1.5 are not detailed in the available data.
For a last-mile operator running 100–120 km daily routes with multiple stops, the Eviator’s 170 km claimed range (on the 40 kWh version) provides a comfortable buffer. The 32 kWh E 350 variant will offer proportionally less range, likely in the 130–140 km real-world band. EKA’s IKEA deployment across multiple metros suggests the K1.5 is capable of similar daily distances with opportunity charging during loading/unloading windows.
Payload and Volume
The Montra Eviator carries a rated payload of 1,705 kg with a GVW of 3,490 kg and a 10 ft 4 in load body. This volumetric capacity is a strong point for bulky but light cargo. The EKA K1.5’s payload and load body dimensions are not specified in the supplied research, but as a 1.5-tonne class vehicle, it is expected to offer a payload in the 1,300–1,500 kg range with a load body around 9–10 feet. Operators carrying dense loads (cement, hardware, beverages) may prioritize payload rating, while those moving e-commerce parcels, furniture, or white goods will value the Eviator’s longer body.
Features and Driver Environment
The Eviator stands out with ADAS, hill hold assist, reverse parking camera, driver-plus-two seating, and a full infotainment suite. These features reduce driver fatigue and improve safety in dense traffic. The EKA K1.5’s cabin feature list is not detailed in the available sources, though fleet-focused electric vans in this segment typically offer air conditioning, digital cluster, power steering, and telematics for fleet management. EKA’s in-house AI-powered fleet technology platform is a known differentiator for fleet operators who want integrated tracking, route optimization, and predictive maintenance.
Total Cost of Ownership Indicators
The earlier Tata Intra EV vs Montra Eviator comparison showed the Eviator (40 kWh variant) at an ex-showroom price of ₹16.11 lakh with a 10-year cost per km of ₹2.40, driven by higher energy and upfront costs. The E 350 variant with a smaller battery should carry a lower purchase price, narrowing the TCO gap. EKA Mobility has not published TCO data for the K1.5 in the provided sources, but the company’s PLI certification and volume scaling suggest competitive procurement costs for bulk buyers. Fleet operators should request detailed TCO models from both OEMs based on their specific daily km, electricity tariff, and financing terms.
Service Network and Support
EKA Mobility’s rapid dealership expansion — 120 new outlets planned in FY2027 across Tier 1/2/3 cities — and its two operational Pune plants (with a third in Pithampur) indicate a growing service footprint. The company’s 5x sales growth in FY26 reflects increasing market acceptance. Montra Electric, backed by the Murugappa Group’s commercial vehicle experience (through Montra Electric SCV and TII/Montra tractors), leverages an established dealer network for sales and service. Both offer warranty packages and AMC options; operators should verify service center proximity for their operating zones before committing.
Real-World Validation
The EKA K1.5 has a documented fleet deployment with IKEA across four major metros, running daily last-mile routes in mixed traffic. This is a strong reference for reliability and uptime in commercial use. The Montra Eviator range is newer in its current avatar (E 350 and 350L+ variants), and while the platform has been tested in the market, large-fleet case studies for the specific 32 kWh variant are still emerging. Operators may want to speak with existing Eviator users in their region for feedback on real-world range, service turnaround, and resale value trends.
Which One Should You Choose
Choose the Montra Eviator E 350 if your priority is a longer load body for volumetric cargo, higher torque and gradeability for hilly terrain, and a feature-rich cabin with ADAS and hill hold assist for driver retention. The 32 kWh battery keeps the acquisition cost lower than the 40 kWh variant while still covering typical urban rounds with a mid-day top-up.
Choose the EKA 1.5T (K1.5) if you value a proven fleet reference (IKEA deployment), integrated AI fleet management, and a rapidly expanding service network backed by global strategic partners. The urban-tuned battery and fast-charging focus suit high-utilization, multi-shift operations where vehicle uptime and data-driven fleet optimization are critical.
Both are credible Indian-born electric mini-trucks built for the same last-mile mission. The final decision comes down to whether your business leans more toward volumetric efficiency and driver comfort (Eviator) or fleet analytics and proven multi-city fleet deployment (EKA).
FAQs
What is the battery capacity of the Montra Eviator E 350?
The Montra Eviator E 350 uses a 32 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery pack designed for urban last-mile delivery duties.
What is the claimed range of the Montra Eviator E 350?
The 32 kWh variant’s exact claimed range is not separately published in the available sources. The higher 40 kWh Eviator variant claims 170 km on a full charge; the E 350 will deliver proportionally less, typically around 130–140 km in real-world city conditions.
Has the EKA 1.5T been deployed in any commercial fleet?
Yes. EKA Mobility has supplied 10 K1.5 electric delivery vans to IKEA for last-mile logistics in Bangalore, Pune, Hyderabad, and Mumbai as part of IKEA’s zero-emission freight program.
What are the key safety features on the Montra Eviator E 350?
The Eviator includes ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System), hill hold assist, reverse parking camera, LED lighting, and a digital instrument cluster as standard safety and assist features.
Which vehicle has a longer load body, Montra Eviator E 350 or EKA 1.5T?
The Montra Eviator offers a 10 feet 4 inches load body length. The EKA K1.5’s load body length is not specified in the available sources, but as a 1.5-tonne class van it is typically around 9–10 feet.