Coast to hill drive challenge flags off with Tata Intra EV
By Payal Banerjee
Bhubaneswar, April 18: Marking a significant step toward accelerating electric mobility in the commercial vehicle segment, Tata Motors on Saturday kick-started the Coast to Hill Drive Challenge with the all-new Tata Intra EV at Trupti Automotives, Nakhara. The initiative is designed to showcase the vehicle’s real-world performance across diverse terrains, covering routes from coastal plains to challenging hilly regions.
As part of the challenge, the drive will span a route from Balasore to Malkangiri, strategically designed to cover diverse road and terrain conditions. Along this corridor, 15 charging stations are already in place, which will reinforce confidence in the EV infrastructure through this drive.
The trusted Intra platform, now introduced in an electric variant, is set to redefine expectations in the small commercial vehicle market. Through this drive challenge, the company aims to address common concerns surrounding electric vehicles, particularly around range reliability, durability, and the availability of charging infrastructure, while reinforcing confidence among potential users.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Bimalendu Mohanty, MD, Trupti Automotives, said, “The Tata Intra has already earned the trust of customers across segments for its reliability and performance. With the introduction of the Intra EV, we are entering a new era of mobility that combines dependability with sustainability. Through the Coast to Hill Drive Challenge, we aim to demonstrate that electric vehicles are not limited by terrain or distance. This initiative will help dispel long-standing myths around range, durability, and charging infrastructure, while showcasing the vehicle’s capability in real operating conditions. We believe this will play a key role in accelerating EV adoption among commercial users.”
Adding to this, Mr. Ankit Mohanty noted, “This initiative goes beyond showcasing a product; it is about building confidence and awareness among users. The Intra EV is designed to be efficient, cost-effective, and future-ready, catering to evolving business needs across urban and rural markets, while promoting a more sustainable future.”
The Tata Intra EV is an advanced electric pickup truck offering a 1,750 kg payloadand arange of over 150 km per charge. It is powered by a 28.2 kWh LFP battery and a 72kW motor (230 Nm torque), withfast charging (10–80% in ~55 minutes). The vehicle features an IP67-rated battery, CCS2 fast and AC charging, rigid suspension with parabolic leaf springs, and anElectronic Braking System with regenerative braking. It also comes with a 6-year / 2 lakh km battery warranty and is priced starting from approximately INR 11.95 Lacs, making it a strong contender in the electric small commercial vehicle segment.
The Coast to Hill Drive Challenge is expected to serve as a strong proof point, demonstrating that electric commercial vehicles are practical, reliable, and ready for everyday business operations across varied geographies.
