India Gets Its First Set Of E-Double Decker Buses in Mumbai

Mumbai’s Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) received its first set of E-double decker buses -Switch EiV 22- manufactured by Switch Mobility. Switch Mobility is a subsidiary of Hinduja Group flagship Ashok Leyland and is a manufacturer of next-generation electric bus and light commercial vehicle manufacturer.

The electric double deckers are lightweight buses made of  aluminium with an advanced architecture and can ferry nearly twice the number of seated passengers as a comparable single decker bus with just 18% increase in kerb weight. The bus offers 100 km of range with a 45-minute charge. 100% charging takes place in 80 minutes. The electric double decker boasts of wide front and rear doors, two staircases and an emergency door complying with the latest safety standards. The AC offers effective cooling while the optimized seating for 65 passengers is the maximum number of seats to be offered in the given footprint. It is powered by 231 kWh 2-string, liquid cooled, higher density NMC chemistry battery pack with dual gun charging system, enabling the electric double decker to have a range of up to 250 kms for intra-city applications.

BEST is the most prolific bus operator of double decker buses in India for over seven decades and has plans to include 200 electric double decker buses. Switch EiV 22 claims to be India’s first and unique electric double decker air-conditioned bus designed, developed, and manufactured in India, utilising Switch’s global electric bus experience.

Commenting on this, Mahesh Babu, Chief Executive Officer, Switch Mobility Ltd, said, ‘’Switch is committed to its vision of democratising zero carbon mobility, through innovative, technologically advanced products like the Switch EiV 22, India’s first electric double decker that was launched in August 2022. Today, we are delighted and proud to deliver the first of the 200 electric double deckers to BEST. The Switch EiV 22 will carry forward the legacy of double deckers in Mumbai, in this decade and beyond, and further enhance the sustainable footprint that BEST has embarked upon in recent times. With superior customer comfort and customer delight, we are certain that Switch EiV 22 will transform public transport in Mumbai, and bring back many iconic, fond memories for Mumbaikars’’.

Calling it a historic moment for BEST, Lokesh Chandra, General Manager, Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport, said that BEST has included India’s first AC, electric double decker bus in its fleet that fulfills the vision of green and clean mobility of  the country. He further informed that procurement of the buses is done under the National Clean Air Program (NCAP).

With the support of State government, these electric double decker AC buses will provide world-class travel experience to Mumbaikars. The buses are fitted with live tracking devices, CCTV cameras and panic button for women safety, these buses will be 100% digital with ‘Tap-in Tap-out’ facility and will run on 100% solar energy.