The Complete Technical Buyer’s Guide for Industrial & Manufacturing Companies in India
Electric mini trucks are becoming the preferred choice for material movement inside factories, industrial plants, warehouses, and large manufacturing campuses in India. Rising diesel costs, strict emission norms, and 24×7 logistics needs have pushed factories to adopt low-maintenance, high-efficiency EV cargo vehicles for internal fleet operations.
In 2025, the shift is stronger than ever. With OEMs like Tata Motors, Mahindra, Eicher, Euler, Piaggio, Altigreen, and EVage strengthening their EV portfolios, industries now have multiple electric cargo options designed for in-plant, intralogistics, and short-range movement.
This guide provides a complete technical comparison, real industrial use cases, charger planning, ROI & TCO breakdown, and the best electric mini trucks available for factory operations in 2025.
Why Electric Mini Trucks Are Ideal for In-Plant & Factory Operations
Industrial environments require continuous movement of:
✔ Raw materials
✔ In-process goods
✔ Finished goods
✔ Tools & molds
✔ Packaging items
✔ Spare parts
Electric mini trucks are now replacing diesel & CNG vehicles because they offer:
1. Ultra-Low Running Cost (₹0.8 – ₹1.5 per km)
Diesel vehicles cost ₹6–₹8/km, while EVs operate at less than ₹1.5/km.
2. Instant Torque for Heavy Industrial Loads
EV motors deliver peak torque from 0 RPM, perfect for:
- Ramps
- Dockyards
- Slopes inside plants
- Heavy start-stop operations
3. No Engine Heat, No Emissions
Factories can operate EVs inside production shops without ventilation issues.
4. Very Low Maintenance
No engine = no filters, no clutch, no gearbox.
Only:
- Tyres
- Brake pads
- Suspension
- Annual service
5. Silent Operation for Safety Zones
Improves working conditions and reduces fatigue in industrial areas.
Top Electric Mini Trucks for In-Plant & Factory Operations (2025)
Below are the best EV mini trucks for industrial environments, chosen based on:
- Payload
- Gradeability
- Battery durability
- Stopping/starting cycles
- Turning radius
- Charger compatibility
- After-sales network
1. Tata Ace EV (Factory-Optimized Variant)
Best for: 24×7 industrial operations, e-commerce warehouses, auto plants
Key Technical Specs
- Battery: 21.3 kWh LFP
- Range: 140–160 km real-world
- Payload: 600–650 kg
- Motor: 36 hp / 130 Nm torque
- Gradeability: 22%
- Charging: Fast + Slow compatible
- Turning Radius: 4.3 m (very tight for plant lanes)
Why It’s Ideal for Factories
- Extremely stable LFP battery chemistry (long life for high-cycle usage).
- Very smooth torque for start–stop–start movement, the most common in plants.
- Large service network across India.
- Supports fast fleet charging, reducing downtime.
Ideal Use Cases
- In-plant movement of parts bins
- Finished-goods transport between shops
- Internal delivery shuttle between lines & warehouses
2. Mahindra Zor Grand / e-Alfa Cargo (New 2025 Platform)
Best for: Low-speed factory movement, cost-sensitive plants
Technical Specs
- Battery: 10.24 – 12 kWh
- Range: 80–100 km
- Payload: 400–500 kg
- Gradeability: 10–12%
- Motor Torque: 50–60 Nm
Why Factories Prefer It
- Best-in-class low-speed torque stability.
- Very low acquisition cost.
- Strong service penetration in industrial belts.
Ideal Use Cases
- Inter-shop movement
- Spare-part transportation
- Shift-based loading/unloading
3. Euler HiLoad EV Cargo (Heavy Industrial Duty)
Best for: Heavy materials, iron/steel parts, engineering plants
Technical Specs
- Battery: 12.96 kWh
- Range: 100–110 km
- Payload: 688–700 kg (highest in segment)
- Torque: 88.5 Nm
- Gradeability: 15–18%
Why Industries Choose Euler
- Highest payload = fewer trips = faster productivity
- Reinforced steel chassis designed for industrial abuse
- Suitable for rugged shop-floor environments
Ideal Use Cases
- Heavy load movement
- Raw material duty
- Continuous internal shuttle operations
4. Altigreen neEV High Deck (Industrial L5 EV)
Best for: Long factory corridors, high-volume goods
Technical Specs
- Battery: 11 kWh
- Range: 120–150 km
- Payload: 550–600 kg
- Torque: 45 Nm (linear torque delivery)
- Gradeability: 18–20%
Why It Works for Plants
- Extra-large cargo deck
- Excellent suspension for uneven internal roads
- Reliable battery cooling for long operational cycles
5. Piaggio Ape Electric FX Max (Budget-Friendly Industrial EV)
Best for: Light cargo, food factories, pharma plants
Technical Specs
- Battery: 8 – 12 kWh
- Range: 90–110 km
- Payload: 400–500 kg
Factory Advantages
- Very compact → moves easily in narrow shop lanes
- Ultra-low cost → fastest ROI for internal use
- Perfect for batch material movement
6. Eicher Electric Mini Truck (Expected 2025 Launch)
Best for: Mid-size industrial loads, multi-purpose operations
Expected Specs
- Range: 120–150 km
- Payload: 750–900 kg
- Motor: High torque EV motor
- DC Fast Charging support
Why Industries Are Waiting for It
- Eicher’s reputation for robust chassis
- Expected to be a diesel-replacement for medium industries
How to Choose the Right Electric Mini Truck for Your Plant (2025 Checklist)
1. Identify Your Industrial Load Categories
- Lightweight finished goods → Mahindra, Piaggio
- Medium raw materials → Tata Ace EV, Altigreen
- Heavy-duty loads → Euler, upcoming Eicher
2. Check Turning Radius & Manoeuvrability
Factories need tight turning:
- Best: Tata Ace EV → 4.3 m
- Compact lanes: Piaggio → very small footprint
3. Gradeability for Ramps & Slopes
- Heavy ramps: Tata/Euler/Altigreen
- Light-duty ramps: Mahindra/Piaggio
4. Battery Chemistry for High Cycles
Choose LFP batteries → safest for high temperature, long cycle life.
5. Charging Infrastructure Design
Factories should install:
- 3.3 kW slow chargers: For 8–10 hr overnight charging
- 7.2–15 kW fast chargers: For shift operations
- Optional: CCS2 fast charger for Tata Ace EV
6. After-Sales Support
Check local dealer proximity + downtime guarantee.
Charging Requirements for Industrial EV Fleets
Option A: Slow AC Charging (Best for overnight)
- 3.3 kW or 7.2 kW
- Cheapest → ₹25,000–₹70,000 per charger
- Ideal for 2-shift factories
Option B: Fast DC Charging
- 15 kW to 30 kW
- Needed for 24×7 operations
- Cost: ₹2–4 lakh
Option C: Plug-and-Play Portable Chargers
- Used for multi-location industries
Electric Mini Truck ROI & Cost Savings for Industries
Operating Cost Example:
- Diesel vehicle: ₹7/km
- EV mini truck: ₹1.2/km
Saving per km: ~₹5.8/km
Annual saving (40 km/day x 300 days):
= 12,000 km/year
= ₹69,600 saved per vehicle annually
Larger factories using 10–20 EVs can save:
👉 ₹7–14 lakh per year
Recommended Models by Industrial Requirement
If your plant has heavy loads (600–700 kg):
✔ Euler HiLoad EV
✔ Tata Ace EV
If your plant has long distance movement (>3 km corridors):
✔ Altigreen neEV
✔ Tata Ace EV
If your plant has narrow lanes:
✔ Piaggio Ape FX Max
✔ Mahindra Zor Grand
FAQs for Industrial Buyers
Q1: How long does an EV mini truck last inside a factory?
7–10 years easily with LFP batteries.
Q2: Can we operate EVs inside production shops?
Yes — no emissions, no heat → safe for indoor movement.
Q3: Do EVs work well on factory ramps?
Tata Ace EV, Euler, and Altigreen perform best.
Q4: How many chargers does a factory need?
Rule: 1 charger for every 3 EVs (if using slow charging).
For 24×7 operations: 1:1 ratio.
Conclusion
Electric mini trucks are now essential tools for factories and industrial plants in India. They reduce cost, improve material flow efficiency, and offer long-term reliability for in-plant logistics.
