More Retail has taken a significant step towards greening its supply chain by adding 110 Montra Electric EVIATOR small commercial vehicles to its mid-mile logistics fleet. The latest deployment includes 25 vehicles that were flagged off in Bengaluru on October 1, 2026. This move pushes the supermarket chain's electric vehicle count to 150 units out of a total 600-vehicle mid-mile fleet, marking 25 percent electrification.
Mid-mile logistics refers to the movement of goods between distribution centres and retail outlets. For a retailer like More Retail, this segment is critical because it directly impacts store replenishment and product availability. The company has stated its long-term goal is to achieve a fully electric mid-mile fleet, though no specific timeline has been announced.
Fleet numbers at a glance
The current fleet composition shows steady progress. More Retail operates 600 vehicles in its mid-mile network. Of these, 150 are now electric. The 110 Montra EVIATORs form the bulk of this electric portion, accounting for roughly 73 percent of the electric fleet. The remaining 40 electric vehicles come from other partners or earlier deployments. The 25 EVIATORs launched in Bengaluru are part of the 110 total, not additional units.
Real-world performance data
According to More Retail's National Transport Manager Prasanna Hegde, the deployed EVIATORs have collectively covered more than 8.8 lakh kilometres on operational routes. This distance provides a practical indication of how the vehicles perform under daily commercial use. The company has cited reliability, driver comfort, instant torque, and lower operating costs as key reasons for the transition from conventional internal combustion engine vehicles. However, specific purchase costs, charging expenses, or per-kilometre savings figures have not been disclosed.
Daily utilisation and emission estimates
More Retail and Montra Electric estimate that the 110 EVIATORs can cover a minimum of 22,000 kilometres per day combined. This works out to approximately 200 kilometres per vehicle daily. Based on this usage, the companies project an annual reduction of over 1,750 tonnes of tailpipe carbon dioxide emissions. It is important to note that this is a company estimate. The calculation methodology, assumed operating days per year, and baseline fuel consumption for comparison have not been shared. The figure also covers only tailpipe emissions and does not include a full lifecycle assessment that would account for electricity generation, battery production, and vehicle manufacturing.
Vehicle specifications suited for retail distribution
The Montra Electric EVIATOR is a 3.5-tonne gross vehicle weight electric small commercial vehicle. It features a 10.3-foot load deck, which the company describes as the largest in its segment, and a payload capacity of up to 1,707 kilograms. These dimensions make it suitable for transporting retail crates, groceries, and bulk supplies between warehouses and stores.
The vehicle also comes with integrated fleet management functions. These include real-time battery status monitoring, driver behaviour analytics, and route optimisation tools. More Retail has reported positive feedback from drivers regarding comfort and everyday usability. Montra Electric, which is part of the Murugappa Group's TI Clean Mobility, positions this partnership as an example of commercial electric vehicles becoming a routine part of logistics operations rather than a pilot project.
Leadership perspective
Saju Nair, CEO of the e-SCV Division at Montra Electric, stated that electrification of commercial mobility accelerates when it delivers measurable business value at scale. He described More Retail's journey as a shift from evaluating electric vehicles as an alternative to deploying them as a core part of daily logistics. The focus, he added, is on enabling the transition with vehicles and an ecosystem built around uptime, efficiency, and long-term profitability.
Prasanna Hegde emphasised that reliability comes first because the mid-mile fleet keeps stores stocked every day. He noted that the move from conventional vehicles to the EVIATOR has been smooth across the distribution network. Drivers have responded well to the comfort, instant torque, and day-to-day dependability. Alongside lower operating costs, the retailer is cutting emissions with every delivery run.
What this means for commercial EV adoption in India
More Retail's deployment illustrates how electric small commercial vehicles are being integrated into everyday retail distribution. Predictable routes and recurring delivery schedules help operators plan charging around daily requirements. The milestone should be read in context: a quarter of the mid-mile fleet is currently electric, and complete electrification remains a future target.
The next measures to watch include the pace of further deployment, charging infrastructure expansion, and demonstrated operating-cost savings as the electric fleet grows. For other companies considering similar transitions, More Retail's experience with over 8.8 lakh kilometres of real-world operation provides a reference point for electric small commercial vehicles in demanding urban and regional logistics.
The partnership also highlights a broader shift in India's commercial mobility sector. While electric passenger vehicles often receive more attention, commercial fleets can deliver significant emissions and operating-cost benefits because they cover high daily distances. Montra Electric's portfolio spans electric three-wheelers, small commercial vehicles, tractors, and medium- and heavy-commercial vehicles, indicating a full-spectrum approach to commercial electrification.
FAQs
How many electric vehicles does More Retail currently operate in its mid-mile fleet?
More Retail currently operates 150 electric vehicles out of a total mid-mile fleet of 600 vehicles. This represents 25 percent electrification of the fleet.
How many Montra EVIATOR vehicles have been deployed and where was the latest flag-off?
A total of 110 Montra Electric EVIATORs have been deployed across More Retail's distribution network. The latest batch of 25 vehicles was flagged off in Bengaluru on October 1, 2026.
What distance have the deployed EVIATORs covered so far?
According to More Retail's National Transport Manager Prasanna Hegde, the deployed EVIATORs have collectively covered more than 8.8 lakh kilometres on the retailer's routes.
What are the key specifications of the Montra Electric EVIATOR?
The Montra Electric EVIATOR is a 3.5-tonne electric small commercial vehicle with a 10.3-foot load deck and a payload capacity of up to 1,707 kilograms. It features integrated fleet management including battery monitoring, driver behaviour analytics, and route optimisation.
What is More Retail's long-term goal for its mid-mile fleet?
More Retail aims to achieve a 100 percent electric mid-mile fleet. The company has not disclosed a specific completion timeline for this target.