Drivn EIM Partnership Targets 1000 Electric Trucks Across India

By Jony Shekhawat | Published Date : April 21, 2026

Drivn and Energy in Motion join hands to deploy 1000 electric trucks with battery swapping and flexible financing to make adoption easier for fleet operators across India.

India’s electric truck journey got a new push as Drivn and Energy in Motion (EIM) signed an MoU on 21 April 2026. The plan is to deploy around 1,000 electric trucks across the country in the next two years through Drivn’s customer network. This move looks simple, but it can make a real difference for fleet operators who are still thinking about going electric.

A Combined Model to Reduce Entry Barriers

Table of Contents

1. A Combined Model to Reduce Entry Barriers

2. What the Agreement Covers

3. Focus on Practical Use, Not Just Plans

4. Making Transition Easier for Fleet Operators

5. Battery Swapping Model and Ecosystem Support

6. A Step Linked to Bigger Plans

► Read More: Hindustan Zinc Launches EV Bus Fleet for Green Transport in Rajasthan

The main idea behind this partnership is to make things easier for fleet operators. EIM brings its battery-swapping trucks and energy infrastructure, while Drivn adds its leasing and financing model. Together, they are trying to remove the big problem of high upfront cost.

Instead of buying everything at once, operators may get a more flexible option. This can help small and big fleet owners both. The companies feel that lowering this entry barrier is very important right now.

What the Agreement Covers

The agreement is not just about supplying trucks. It includes many parts like vehicle supply, financing structure, deployment planning, lifecycle management, and energy support. These two companies are going to work to figure out where these trucks should go first. They have to decide what kind of vehicles they need make sure they get delivered on time and help the customers after they buy the trucks. The companies will also make sure the customers have access to places where they can charge their trucks and swap the batteries if they need to which is really important for everything to run smoothly. They need to get the vehicle specs right and manage the delivery timelines very carefully. The companies will provide after-sales support for these trucks. That includes helping with charging and battery-swapping solutions for the trucks.

Focus on Practical Use, Not Just Plans

Manav Bansal, CEO and Co-founder of Drivn, said that electric trucks will grow only if they work properly as a business solution. According to him, many operators already want to shift, but they need clear economics and reliable performance.

He also mentioned that this partnership brings together vehicles, energy support, and financing in one place. This can help customers move to electric trucks with more confidence. Maybe this is what the industry was waiting for.

Making Transition Easier for Fleet Operators

Alpna Jain, Co-founder and Chief Business Officer at Drivn, explained that for fleet operators, this shift is mainly a business decision. It depends on cost, simplicity, and reliability.
She said this collaboration tries to reduce complexity by aligning all parts together. From vehicle supply to lifecycle support, everything is planned in one system. This can make it easier for operators who manage large fleets, though it may still take time to fully adjust.

Battery Swapping Model and Ecosystem Support

From EIM side, Narendra M. Murkumbi shared that this MoU supports their full EV solution approach. The company sells tractors without batteries. They provide batteries charging and swapping services separately. EIM started working on 1 August 2025. It offers battery packs and energy supply through long-term contracts. This helps manage costs over time with EIM. They provide battery packs and energy supply through long-term contracts with EIM. This model is a bit different, but it may work well for many transporters.

A Step Linked to Bigger Plans

This partnership also comes after Drivn secured a US$80 million commitment from Nomura. It is part of a bigger strategy where the company is signing multiple MoUs in the electric mobility space.

Overall, this deal looks like a structured effort to make electric trucks more practical in India. It is not just about adding vehicles, but building a system around them. If things go as planned, this could help more fleet operators take the electric route, slowly but steadily.

► Read More: Hindustan Zinc Launches EV Bus Fleet for Green Transport in Rajasthan

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Frequently Asked Questions on Commercial Vehicles

Q1. What is the average range of electric commercial vehicles?

Ans. The range depends on battery size and load, but most electric commercial vehicles offer around 120 to 250 km on a full charge under normal conditions.

Q2. How long does it take to charge an electric commercial vehicle?

Ans. Charging time can vary from 1 to 8 hours depending on the charger type. Fast chargers reduce time, while normal chargers take longer.

Q3. Are electric commercial vehicles suitable for heavy loads?

Ans. Yes, many modern electric trucks are designed to carry heavy loads, but performance depends on battery capacity and vehicle design.

Q4. What is the maintenance cost of electric commercial vehicles?

Ans. Maintenance cost is generally lower than diesel vehicles because there are fewer moving parts and no need for engine oil changes.

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