Switch mobility is the thriving business vertical of the Hinduja group responsible for the production of electric buses and light commercial vehicles. Switch Mobility announced plans to establish a plant in India for its electric vehicle business in 2021 after changing its name from Optare to Switch Mobility in November 2020. Later, through a slump sale for 240 crores, it purchased the EV sector from parent company Ashok Leyland. The latest announcement that the company has made was to appoint Mahesh Babu as the global CEO of switch mobility.  For personal reasons, Babu joined the company in September of last year as its worldwide COO and India CEO.

In a press statement, Switch Mobility said, ‘To maintain continuity of strategy and execution of plans, the Board has approved the elevation of Mahesh Babu as CEO of Switch Mobility. Dheeraj Hinduja will be assuming the role of Executive Chairman, immediately.

Switch Mobility EV sales In India

The company is now trying to triple the e-buses in the country from its current level according to the new CEO from the last year according to a senior corporate official. As more state transport undertakings (STUs), road transport corporations, and private bus operators strive to adopt electric mobility.

The nation’s first electric double-decker bus, the EiV22, was unveiled by the company in Mumbai and with the company’s step-down subsidiary with headquarters in the UK. With just an 18% increase in curb weight, it can carry nearly twice as many seated people as a comparable single-decker bus. Each EiV22 will cost at least Rs 2 crore, depending on the battery and vehicle specs.

In Mumbai, Switch India has already received an order for 200 electric double-decker buses. The company is now trying to establish a dominant position in the country’s major markets for electric double-decker buses.

In India, 2000 electric buses were purchased in 2021. Babu anticipates a doubling this year and a tripling the following year. “The private bus market accounts for 80% of all buses in the nation. We have witnessed the first e-bus contract by a private sector organization.

What does the future hold?

The company is committed to net zero emissions and with the new Indian CEO, we hope that the company will now work with double force in making an impact to lower greenhouse emissions and help India achieve net zero emissions by 2070.