Double decker electric bus: Switch Mobility launched the country’s first electric double decker bus, know in which city it will be available.
Mumbai: Switch Mobility, the electric vehicle (EV) unit of Hinduja Group company Ashok Leyland, on Thursday launched its ‘double-decker’ electric bus. It was flagged off by the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari. This is the country’s first electric double decker AC bus. The introduction of these 66 seater buses will help Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) to convert its existing fleet of double decker buses to ‘electric’. Mumbai is the only city in the country where two deck buses are running. Ashok Leyland was the leading Indian manufacturer of these buses in the year 1967. Electric vehicle company Switch already has electric double-decker buses in the UK.
Speaking on the occasion, Gadkari said, “There is a need to transform the country’s transport system from a long-term perspective. With a focus on improving urban transport, we are striving to introduce an integrated electric vehicle transport system with low carbon emissions and high passenger capacity. Keeping in view the growing consumer demand for green transportation solutions, the vision and policies of the government are aimed at encouraging greater adoption of electric vehicles.
Delhi to Mumbai in 12 hours
Sharing his vision for the Delhi-Mumbai Express Highway, the Union Transport Minister said, “I plan to connect Nariman Point of Mumbai with Delhi. 70 per cent work related to this has already been completed. Calling upon the automobile companies, he said, ‘Let us plan such luxury electric buses which can complete the journey from Mumbai to Delhi in just 12 hours’.
Gadkari said that the use of electricity as an automobile fuel is highly economical as compared to other fuels like diesel. He said that, ‘Import of crude oil is a big challenge for the government. The use of solar energy has reduced the cost of electricity to a great extent. Advocating electricity as an alternative fuel, the Union Minister said that 35 per cent of the pollution in the country is due to diesel and petrol. He said that it is time for India to start using alternative fuels like electricity, ethanol, methanol, bio-diesel, bio-CNG, bio-LNG and green hydrogen in the automobile sector.
Market to Change
Mahesh Babu, CEO, Switch Mobility India said, “There is no market for double decker buses in India today. This is about to change as the cities are getting crowded.” He said, “Everyone is looking towards Mumbai. If it runs successfully in Mumbai, I think it will open up a whole market.
