Energy in Motion (EIM) plans to launch two new electric heavy commercial vehicles in the next 15 months as it starts local assembly operations at its new manufacturing complex at Ambi near Talegaon, Pune, Maharashtra. The company will expand its portfolio beyond the existing Ashva 4×2 electric tractor with a heavy electric tipper for mining and construction applications and a rigid-body electric truck for freight transportation.
Managing Director Narendra Murkumbi announced the product expansion during the inauguration of EIM’s electric vehicle and battery-pack assembly facility on Wednesday. He said the upcoming models will enable the company to address additional segments of India’s heavy commercial vehicle market.
EIM, which was initially dependent on imported electric trucks, is shifting towards domestic assembly through the new manufacturing complex. The facility has an annual vehicle assembly capacity of 5,000 units, with scope for further expansion.
Spread over 35,000 square metres, the complex integrates truck assembly, battery-pack manufacturing and battery-testing operations. This development is a step towards strengthening EIM’s local manufacturing capabilities while expanding its electric commercial vehicle portfolio.
EIM expands electric truck portfolio
EIM’s upcoming electric tipper will target mining and road construction applications, while the rigid-body truck will meet a wide range of cargo transportation needs. Both models are planned to be introduced within the next 15 months.
The company currently offers the EIM-Photon Ashva 4×2 electric tractor in the 55-tonne gross combination weight (GCW) category. Available with 282-kWh and 350-kWh battery configurations, the vehicle is primarily designed for container transportation, port logistics and other heavy-duty freight applications.
The new models will allow EIM to expand its presence into additional commercial vehicle segments, including construction-related operations and traditional freight transportation.
EIM has a technology licensing and supply partnership with China’s BAIC Photon Motor for heavy commercial vehicles. Under the six-year exclusive agreement, the company has rights to cover assembly, marketing and distribution of Foton commercial vehicles above 18 tonnes in India.
Murkumbi said the technology underpinning EIM’s existing electric trucks has been in operation in China for more than four years, providing an established technology base for its Indian commercial vehicle operations.
Pune facility integrates truck and battery assembly
The new manufacturing complex at Ambi near Talegaon brings together vehicle assembly and battery-related operations at a single location.
According to the company presentation, the truck assembly unit covers more than 19,000 square metres, while the battery-pack assembly facility covers 10,920 square metres. According to EIM, the battery facility has an annual production capacity of 2.4 GWh, equivalent to approximately 6,000 battery boxes.
Total vehicle assembly capacity is 5,000 units annually and can be expanded to accommodate future demand.
The facility will support local assembly of EIM’s electric trucks and battery packs, although the company will continue to source battery cells and pack kits from overseas suppliers.
New 400.5-kilowatt Luna battery aims for a range of more than 200 km
Along with its vehicle manufacturing expansion, EIM is preparing to assemble high capacity lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery packs at the Pune complex through its partnership with China-based Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd (CATL).
Murkumbi said the current 282-kWh battery configuration offers a driving range of about 150 km. The next generation battery is expected to offer approximately 42% more capacity and a range of over 200 km on a single charge.
The company refers to the new battery as Luna Battery, which will be assembled locally at its Pune facility.
According to EIM’s presentation, the advanced battery system has a capacity of approximately 400.5 kWh and uses CATL’s CB7T0 cells and L324D06 battery-pack platform. The company estimates that its battery life is around 7.5 lakh km.
In July, EIM signed an agreement with CATL to supply 500 MWh LFP battery cells and pack kits. The company said the new cells provide improvements in energy density and cycle life compared to its previous battery technology.
The high capacity battery pack will be integrated into swappable battery boxes designed for heavy commercial vehicle applications in India. This approach is intended to support the operational needs of commercial fleets, where vehicle utilization and turnaround time are critical considerations.
While EIM will undertake battery-pack assembly at its Pune campus, it will rely on imported cells and pack kits supplied by CATL.
EIM develops ₹60 crore battery testing facility
EIM is also setting up a dedicated battery-testing facility within its Pune manufacturing campus to support validation of battery packs for heavy commercial vehicles.
According to the company presentation, the facility covers 4,983 square meters and involves an investment of ₹60 crore in Phase 1. It is being developed in collaboration with Automotive Test Systems (ATS).
The test center is planned to have around 50 test benches covering electrical performance, simulation, thermal management, mechanical durability, environmental conditions and safety testing.
The infrastructure is designed to evaluate battery performance under demanding operating conditions, including high temperatures, mechanical shocks, vibrations and other stresses associated with heavy commercial vehicle applications.
The testing capabilities are expected to support EIM’s battery development and verification programs, as well as provide testing services for the broader electric vehicle industry.
By integrating battery assembly and testing with vehicle manufacturing, EIM aims to strengthen its engineering and verification capabilities in India as it expands its electric commercial vehicle portfolio.
Focus on local manufacturing and heavy-duty electrification
EIM’s manufacturing expansion comes as the company prepares to expand its presence in the electric heavy commercial vehicle segment. The planned launch of an electric tipper and a rigid-body truck will expand its offering beyond tractor applications into mining, construction and general cargo transportation.
The Pune complex combines vehicle assembly capacity, battery-pack manufacturing and dedicated testing infrastructure, while partnerships with BAIC Photon and CATL provide access to vehicle technology and battery systems.
With an initial annual assembly capacity of 5,000 vehicles, high-capacity battery packs and plans to launch two new electric trucks within the next 15 months, EIM is positioning its Pune operations to support the next phase of growth in India’s heavy commercial vehicle market.