Energy In Motion (EIM) plans to launch two new electric heavy commercial vehicles over the next 15 months as it begins local assembly operations at its new manufacturing complex in Ambi, near Talegaon, Pune, Maharashtra. The company will expand its portfolio beyond the existing Ashwa 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 on Wednesday during the inauguration of EIM’s electric vehicle and battery-pack assembly facility. He said the upcoming models would enable the company to address additional segments of India’s heavy commercial vehicle market.
EIM, which initially relied 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 across more than 35,000 square metres, the complex integrates truck assembly, battery-pack manufacturing and battery-testing operations. The development marks 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 cater to a broader range of cargo transportation requirements. Both models are planned for introduction within the next 15 months.
The company currently offers the EIM-Foton Ashwa 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 extend its presence into additional commercial vehicle segments, including construction-related operations and conventional goods transportation.
EIM has a technology licensing and supply partnership with China’s BAIC Foton Motor for heavy commercial vehicles. Under the six-year exclusive agreement, the company has rights covering the assembly, marketing and distribution of Foton commercial vehicles above 18 tonnes in India.
Murkumbi said the technology underpinning EIM’s existing electric trucks had been in operation in China for more than four years, providing an established technological foundation for its Indian commercial vehicle operations.
Pune Facility Integrates Truck and Battery Assembly
The new manufacturing complex at Ambi, near Talegaon, brings vehicle assembly and battery-related operations together at a single location.
According to the company’s presentation, the truck assembly unit covers more than 19,000 square metres, while the battery-pack assembly facility occupies 10,920 square metres. The battery facility has an annual production capacity of 2.4 GWh, equivalent to approximately 6,000 battery boxes, according to EIM.
The overall vehicle assembly capacity stands at 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-kWh Luna Battery Targets More Than 200-km Range
Alongside its vehicle manufacturing expansion, EIM is preparing to assemble higher-capacity lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery packs at the Pune complex through its partnership with China-based Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL).
Murkumbi said the existing 282-kWh battery configuration delivers a driving range of approximately 150 km. The next-generation battery is expected to provide around 42% more capacity and a range exceeding 200 km on a single charge.
The company refers to the new battery as the Luna battery, which will be assembled locally at the Pune facility.
According to EIM’s presentation, the upgraded battery system has a capacity of approximately 400.5 kWh and uses CATL’s CB7T0 cells and L324D06 battery-pack platform. The company estimates a battery life of around 7.5 lakh km.
In July, EIM signed an agreement with CATL for the supply of 500 MWh of LFP battery cells and pack kits. The company said the newer cells offer improvements in energy density and cycle life compared with its earlier battery technology.
The higher-capacity battery packs will be integrated into swappable battery boxes designed for heavy commercial vehicle applications in India. The approach is intended to support the operational requirements of commercial fleets, where vehicle utilisation and turnaround times are important considerations.
While EIM will undertake battery-pack assembly at its Pune complex, it will continue to depend on imported cells and pack kits supplied by CATL.
EIM Develops ₹60-Crore Battery Testing Facility
EIM is also establishing a dedicated battery-testing facility within its Pune manufacturing complex to support the validation of battery packs for heavy commercial vehicles.
According to the company’s presentation, the facility covers 4,983 square metres and involves a Phase 1 investment of ₹60 crore. It is being developed in collaboration with Automotive Test Systems (ATS).
The testing centre is planned to house approximately 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, vibration and other stresses associated with heavy commercial vehicle applications.
The testing capabilities are expected to support EIM’s battery development and validation programmes while also providing testing services for the wider electric vehicle industry.
By integrating battery assembly and testing with vehicle manufacturing, EIM aims to strengthen its engineering and validation 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 broaden its presence in the electric heavy commercial vehicle segment. The planned launches of an electric tipper and a rigid-body truck will extend 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 Foton and CATL provide access to vehicle technology and battery systems.
With an initial annual assembly capacity of 5,000 vehicles, plans for higher-capacity battery packs and two new electric truck launches within the next 15 months, EIM is positioning its Pune operations to support its next phase of growth in India’s heavy commercial vehicle market.
