200 Switch e-double deckers for Mumbai

Switch Mobility, a subsidiary of Ashok Leyland, has unveiled what it claims is the first all-electric double-decker bus for the Indian market. Switch India has already secured an order for 200 electric double-decker buses from Mumbai.

The architecture of the Switch EiV 22 relies on a 650-volt system. This is the same platform used in the Switch e1 and the Switch EiV 12 electric solo bus. All bus components of the EiV 22 are produced in India in compliance with government’s FAME II programme.

The electric bus is powered by an electric drive with a maximum output of 235 kW. The battery with NMC chemistry has an energy content of 231 kWh and should enable a range of up to 250 kilometres in inner-city use. The battery can be recharged in 1.5 to 3 hours. The Switch EiV 22 is just under ten metres long and offers 65 seats.

Dheeraj Hinduja, Chairman of Switch Mobility, explained that the Switch Mobility parent company Ashok Leyland was a pioneer among Indian manufacturers when it first launched the double-decker in 1967 in Mumbai, saying that his company is carrying forward that legacy. “With our strong expertise in double deckers, both in India and UK and with over 100 Switch electric double-deckers in service on UK roads, we are happy to not only bring back this icon to life and look forward to introducing newer electric products for the Indian and European markets, always keeping the customers at the forefront.”

As many as 200 units of the new EiV 22 are to go to Mumbai. The order comes from Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST). The local transport operator in Mumbai already placed a much larger order in May this year with an order for 2,100 12-metre electric solo buses from Olectra Greentech.

A few days ago, Switch Mobility and the Indian transport company Chalo entered into strategic cooperation for the deployment of 5,000 electric buses throughout India. Variants of the Switch EiV 12 solo electric bus are to be used for this purpose. In June, Switch Mobility presented the new generation of its solo electric bus e1, which was specially developed for markets in continental Europe.

switchmobility.tech (announcement), switchmobility (company website)