Electric buses are revolutionizing public transport in India, offering a greener and more efficient alternative to traditional buses. India’s journey into electric buses began in 2015 with the launch of the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (FAME) scheme.
Since then, the country has seen a significant rise in electric bus manufacturers, with a combined annual production capacity of over 40,000 buses.
Recently, the government allocated ₹4,391 crore to procure 14,028 e.buses, focusing on major cities like Delhi and Mumbai, further driving the electric bus transition.
In India, there are only a few electric bus manufacturers, however, the prominent ones are listed below.
List of Top 10 Electric Bus Manufacturers in India
Following is the list of top Electric Bus Manufacturers in India with their E.bus Models:
| Sr. No. | Company Name | No. of Models |
|---|
| 1. | Switch Mobility | 7 |
| 2. | Tata Motors | 3 |
| 3. | Olectra Greentech | 4 |
| 4. | JBM Auto | 4 |
| 5. | PMI Electro Mobility Solutions | 5 |
| 6. | Erisha Mobility | 4 |
| 7. | BYD Auto | 4 |
| 8. | Volvo Group | 2 |
| 9. | Ashok Leyland | 2 |
| 10. | Eka Mobility | 1 |
1. Switch Mobility
Switch Mobility, part of the Hinduja Group, is a global leader in electric buses and light commercial vehicles, focused on eco-friendly transportation. In India, Switch Mobility is the largest electric bus manufacturer with the largest number of electric bus models.
Born from a partnership between Ashok Leyland and British bus maker Optare, Switch combines innovation and advanced technology.
In 2014, under the Optare name, it launched the first British-built electric buses in London.
Since then, over 800 EVs have been deployed, covering more than 100 million green kilometers worldwide. With manufacturing hubs in the UK and India, and Ashok Leyland’s vast distribution network, Switch Mobility is a key player in the global EV market.
Switch Mobility launched its first electric double-decker bus, the Switch EiV 22, in India in August 2022. The EiV Series offers a diverse product range catering to city, intercity, staff, and airport transportation needs. Below are the electric bus models under the EiV Series from Switch Mobility:
- SWITCH e1
- SWITCH EiV 12
- SWITCH EiV 22
- SWITCH EiV 7
- Metrodecker
- Metrocity
- Solo
2. Tata Motors
Tata Motors Ltd. has led road travel innovation in India for over fifty years. From pioneering early trucks for goods transport to manufacturing bus chassis that power the country’s public transport. Tata Motors has maintained a strong presence on Indian roads.
Today, it’s the world’s fourth-largest bus manufacturer, offering a comprehensive range of transit vehicles for everyday travel needs.
| Tata Motors Models | Details |
|---|
| Tata Ultra | Tata Ultra 9/9m AC Electric Bus Tata Ultra 9/9m Non AC Electric Bus |
| Tata Urban | Tata Urban 9/12m AC Electric Bus Tata Urban 9/12m Non AC Electric Bus |
| Starbus EV | Tata 4/12m Low Entry AC Electric Bus Tata 4/12m Low Entry Non AC Electric Bus Tata 4/12m Low Floor AC Electric Bus Tata 4/12m Low Floor Non AC Electric Bus |
3. Olectra Greentech
Olectra Greentech Limited (Olectra) is India’s largest manufacturer of pure electric buses, with manufacturing facilities located in Hyderabad.
Olectra has produced and deployed various electric bus models as the country’s first electric bus manufacturer.
The company was originally incorporated as Goldstone Teleservices Limited on October 11, 2000, and later renamed Goldstone Infratech Limited on September 28, 2007. It became Olectra Greentech Limited on July 6, 2018.
Olectra Greentech which has a partnership with China’s BYD Co., is constructing a new e. According to local media, the bus plant is forecast to start production in July. It intends to deliver at least 2,500 e.buses by fiscal 2025.
Olectra offers a range of electric buses, including:
- Olectra v2
- Olectra x2
- iX Electric Bus
- CX2 Electric Coach
4. JBM Auto
Founded in 1983, JBM Auto started by manufacturing cylinders and quickly expanded its vision to become a key player in the automotive industry.
Inspired by Intel’s “Intel inside” concept, founder S.K Arya envisioned every vehicle in India featuring a JBM component.
Today, JBM Auto produces half a million auto components daily and has realized this vision, with its parts integral to many vehicles across the country.
From collaborating with major car manufacturers in 1987 to becoming a $2.6 billion global conglomerate, JBM Auto now focuses on pioneering sustainable mobility solutions through its electric vehicle ecosystem.
JBM Auto has established an electric bus manufacturing facility in the Delhi NCR region, with a production capacity of up to 20,000 e.buses and special purpose vehicles.
The company aims to introduce an additional 3,000 e.buses by FY25.
Additionally, its subsidiary, JBM Electric Vehicles, has partnered with MUON India to deploy over 2,000 electric buses through MUON’s new EV financing platform, Vertelo, in the coming years.
Here are some of the electric bus models offered by JBM Auto:
- JBM Eco.Life
- JBM e12 Galaxy
- ecoLIFE. 9 mt length.High Floor & Low floor
- ecoLIFE. 12 mt
5. PMI Electro Mobility
PMI Electro, established in 2017 by Mr. Satish Kumar Jain and Mr. Anurag Agarwal, expanded its well-established business by supplying bus bodies to major OEMs like Tata, Ashok Leyland, and transport authorities.PMI Electro Mobility has its vehicles operating in various cities across India, including Kerala, Ladakh, Lucknow, Nagpur, Odisha, Rajkot, Delhi, and Agra. The company’s electric buses are powered by cutting-edge lithium-ion batteries, providing a range of up to 180 km kilometers on a single charge.
Electric Buses of PMI Electro Mobility
Urban (12M)
Regio (9M)
Lito (7M)
School Buses (9M)
PMI Electro Mobility has launched ‘Mohalla Buses’ recently in Delhi as part of a pilot project aimed at enhancing last-mile connectivity.
6. Erisha Mobility
Founded in 2022, Erisha E Mobility, part of the renowned Rana Group based in New Delhi, has quickly established itself in the electric vehicle sector. Here are the electric bus models offered by Erisha Mobility:
- Low Floor Electric Bus 7m
- 9 Meter Erisha Electric Bus
- 12 M Electric Bus
- 13.5 Meter Erisha Electric Bus
7. BYD Auto
BYD entered the Indian market in 2007, initially producing batteries and components for mobile phones. In 2013, the company expanded into the electric bus sector through a joint venture with Megha Engineering, leading to the formation of Olectra Greentech.
In 2018, Olectra Greentech launched the ‘eBuzz K6 LuXe,’ India’s first luxury mini electric bus, manufactured domestically and noted for being the first in its category in the country.
These electric buses are produced in India through a strategic partnership between Olectra Greentech and BYD Auto Industry, one of the world’s largest EV manufacturers.
The buses feature a monocoque chassis, providing up to 180 kW of power and 1800 Nm of torque, along with front and rear air suspension. The lithium.ion (Li.ion) battery installed in the bus enables it to travel up to 200 plus km on a single charge.
Here is a list of electric bus models offered jointly by Olectra and BYD:
- E.Buzz K6 (7m)
- E.Buzz K7 (9m)
- E.Buzz K9 (12m)
- E.Buzz C9 (12m)
8. Volvo Group
Volvo, founded in Sweden in 1927, introduced its first bus the following year with a vision of safe and efficient transportation. The company made significant strides in electric mobility with the launch of the Volvo 7900 Electric Hybrid bus in 2014 and its first 7900 Electric bus in traffic in 2017.Key developments in Volvo’s electric bus journey include:
- 2019: Launch of the Volvo Electric Articulated bus.
- 2020: Extended electric capabilities for the Volvo 7900 S.Charge full.hybrid bus.
- 2021: Introduction of the Volvo BZL electric chassis.
Current electric bus models include:
- Volvo 7900 Electric
- Volvo 8900 Electric
9. Ashok Leyland
Ashok Leyland has not independently launched any electric buses but has partnered with SUN Mobility to introduce a swappable battery bus.
The collaboration aimed to provide smart mobility solutions for smart cities, resulting in the launch of Circuit.S, India’s first electric bus in 2018 featuring SUN Mobility’s swappable Smart Battery.
Designed specifically for Indian conditions, the Circuit.S features a seating capacity of 25 to 35 seats and utilizes smart batteries that are one quarter the weight of traditional Li.ion batteries.
These batteries can be quickly swapped, offering a faster alternative to conventional refueling and allowing for the efficient change of bus drivers and conductors at depots. This innovation addresses significant challenges related to recharging and enhances the practicality of electric buses for public transportation.
Recently, Ashok Leyland began constructing a new plant in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, dedicated to electric bus production. This facility, set to start operations within the next 12.13 months, will have an initial production capacity of 2,500 buses per year, further enhancing the company’s commitment to advancing electric mobility in India.
10. Eka Mobility
EKA Mobility, established in 2019 through a collaboration between Pinnacle Industries and VDL Group, is dedicated to blending eco friendly concepts with sustainable processes and mobility solutions.
EKA’s approach emphasizes unity with nature and offers high-quality electric vehicles with the lowest Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) to meet evolving customer needs.
EKA Mobility currently manufactures only one electric bus, the Eka E9, a 9 meter model with seating for 32 passengers and ample legroom. The E9 features:
- Maximum Power: 213 kW
- Maximum Torque: 2352 Nm
- Maximum Speed: 80 km/h
- Charging Time: 60.90 minutes
The company’s current production facility is located in Koregaon Bhima, near Pune, with plans to open a new plant in Chakan, also near Pune, by September of next year.
