Bengaluru: More Retail is accelerating the electrification of its mid-mile logistics operations, with the supermarket chain now operating 110 Montra Electric Eviator electric small commercial vehicles across its distribution network.
The company flagged off another 25 Eviator e-SCVs in Bengaluru on Thursday as part of its broader plan to transition its 600-vehicle mid-mile fleet to electric mobility.
More Retail said 150 of its 600 mid-mile vehicles are now electric. That figure represents 25% of the total fleet, although the company separately described electric vehicles as accounting for “nearly 30%” of its mid-mile operations.
Of those electric vehicles, 110 are Montra Electric Eviators.
According to the companies, the 110 Eviators can collectively cover at least 22,000 kilometres each day. Their deployment is expected to help avoid more than 1,750 tonnes of tailpipe carbon dioxide emissions annually compared with conventional internal-combustion-engine vehicles.
More Retail has been replacing diesel and petrol small commercial vehicles with electric alternatives as it looks to reduce energy and maintenance costs while lowering emissions from store replenishment and hyper-local delivery operations.
The company said its Eviator fleet has already travelled more than 8.8 lakh kilometres across its delivery routes.
Prasanna Hegde – National Transport Manager, More Retail Pvt Ltd said, “Our mid-mile fleet keeps our stores stocked every day, so reliability comes first for us. The move from ICE vehicles to Montra Electric’s Eviator e-SCVs has been smooth across our distribution network. The vehicles have already covered over 8.8 lakh kilometres on our routes, and our drivers have responded well to their comfort, instant torque and day-to-day dependability. Alongside lower operating costs, we are cutting emissions with every delivery run. With 150 of our 600 mid-mile vehicles now electric, we are well on our way to a fully electric fleet, and Montra Electric has been a trusted partner at every step.”
For large retail networks, electrification has to prove itself beyond sustainability targets. Delivery vehicles operate on frequent, tightly scheduled routes, meaning uptime, payload capacity and operating costs can matter just as much as what comes out of the tailpipe.
Montra Electric said the Eviator has been designed for high-frequency urban logistics and offers high torque for carrying heavier loads, automatic operation for congested city traffic and an ergonomic cabin intended to reduce driver fatigue.
Saju Nair, CEO, e-SCV Division, Montra Electric, said, “Electrification of commercial mobility will accelerate when it delivers measurable business value at scale. 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. As More Retail moves towards a fully electric mid-mile fleet, our focus is to enable that transition with vehicles and an ecosystem built around uptime, efficiency and long-term profitability.”
The Eviator comes with a 10.3-foot load deck and has a payload capacity of up to 1,707 kg, specifications aimed at applications such as carrying retail crates and bulk supplies between distribution centres and stores.
The vehicle also incorporates a fleet management system providing information including real-time battery status, driver behaviour analytics and route optimisation, features designed to help fleet operators manage vehicle utilisation and charging more efficiently.
More Retail said the electric vehicles are being used for daily store replenishment and hyper-local fulfilment across its major delivery hubs.
The expansion reflects a wider shift in commercial electric mobility, where fleet operators are increasingly assessing EVs not simply on environmental benefits but on total operating costs, reliability and their ability to handle demanding everyday logistics.
For More Retail, reaching a fully electric mid-mile fleet will require converting the remaining majority of its 600 vehicles. The growing deployment of electric SCVs, however, shows how urban retail logistics is becoming an important proving ground for commercial EVs — one delivery run at a time.
