SWITCH Mobility Unveils the SWITCH EiV 12 & the SWITCH E1: Revolutionizing Urban Transport with India’s First Low-Floor Electric Bus

SWITCH Mobility Ltd, a subsidiary of Ashok Leyland and part of the Hinduja Group, and a leading manufacturer of electric buses and light commercial vehicles, unveiled its contemporary electric bus platform SWITCH EiV12—the low-floor electric city bus for the Indian market. It is India’s first low-floor city bus with chassis-mounted batteries, featuring a scalable battery capacity of over 400+ kWh. On the occasion, SWITCH E1, engineered for the European market, was flagged off virtually. Both these buses share common design philosophies and EV architecture. 

SWITCH EiV 12: Where Sustainability Meets Performance

For urban city commutes, the indigenously designed, developed, and manufactured SWITCH EiV12 platform sets global standards in performance, safety, reliability, and comfort. With seating for up to 39 passengers, the SWITCH EiV12 leads its segment, offering maximum revenue potential for operators.

Innovation & Technology

• Indigenous EV Bus-Made in India: The entire design, development, and manufacturing process took place in India.
• Floor-Mounted Battery: India’s first low-floor city bus features a battery capacity of up to 400 kWh, offering a lower center of gravity for enhanced stability, safety, and ride comfort, along with simplified maintenance.
• Modular Design: It is customizable for both left- and right-hand drives, offering flexible options for door placement.
• Scalable Battery: The battery capacity can be customized to range from 189 kWh to 423 kWh, meeting a variety of operational requirements.
• Connected: Our ITMS delivers real-time vehicle tracking, geo-fencing, and fleet monitoring. It features vehicle health analytics and a driver leadership dashboard, enabling efficient and seamless operations.
• Charging: Our system, equipped with a dual-gun CCS2 charger, ensures full charging in less than two hours. Integrated software streamlines charging management for hassle-free operation.
• Safety: Advanced safety features include FDSS, multi-level battery protection, five CCTV cameras, and an Automatic Passenger Counting System (APC), enhancing security and operational efficiency.

Passenger Comfort

• Ergonomic Design: The vehicle boasts an ergonomic design featuring a kneeling and tilting mechanism for effortless boarding. Its low-floor entry and automated wheelchair ramp ensure seamless accessibility for all passengers.
• Spacious Interiors: Designed for comfort, the vehicle accommodates up to 39 passengers with a roomy interior, wide doors, and a spacious gangway, allowing simple movement and a comfortable travel experience.
• Enhanced Passenger Experience: Large panoramic windows offer breathtaking views, while advanced air conditioning and ergonomically designed seating create a relaxing and enjoyable ride.
• Accessibility and convenience: The easy-entry design and passenger-friendly layout simplify boarding, exiting, and movement throughout the cabin, ensuring a hassle-free journey for everyone.

SWITCH E1: The bus aims to make every commute cleaner

Specifically designed for the European market, the SWITCH E1 showcases cutting-edge engineering with a lightweight monocoque construction, ensuring optimal efficiency and performance. The SWITCH E1 features in-wheel motors and a flat gangway layout throughout the bus, providing seamless movement and accessibility for passengers. With its triple-door configuration (front, center, and rear), the bus offers unmatched convenience for quick boarding and alighting, perfectly suited for urban transit systems. Capable of accommodating up to 93 passengers, including standees, the SWITCH E1 sets a new benchmark in sustainable, passenger-centric public transportation.

Battery technology

• 400 kWh NMC battery is 30% more energy-dense than conventional LFP power packs, delivering more kilometers per kilogram.
• The vehicle distributes the battery mass evenly for greater stability.
• A full charge can be achieved in less than 3 hours, while overnight charging takes 7 hours.

Lightweight structure

• Integrated chassis and body reduce unladen weight and increase strength.
• At 10,775 kg, it is the lightest widely available zero-emission electric bus in Europe.
• The product weighs up to two tonnes less than its competitors, resulting in reduced wear and tear.

Customer first

• The battery size and range are customized to meet specific requirements.
• There is comfortable and versatile seating available for up to 28 people.
• HV and LV components are located in pull-out compartments, simplifying in-field service and diagnostics.

Lowest TCO

• High-quality, innovative monocoque construction reduces weight.
• Advanced NMC battery technology provides enhanced efficiency and range.
• Tailored support increased vehicle on-road time and delivered local jobs and infrastructure.
• High-quality, innovative monocoque construction reduces weight.
• Advanced NMC battery technology provides enhanced efficiency and range.
• Tailored support increased vehicle on-road time and delivered local jobs and infrastructure.

Mr. Mahesh Babu, Chief Executive Officer, SWITCH Mobility, said, “At SWITCH Mobility, we’re excited to unveil two new products for India and Europe, both built on our Global EV architecture. These innovations harness cutting-edge EV technology to deliver superior efficiency, safety, and passenger comfort. Our low-floor electric city bus, designed for optimal energy performance and accessibility, has garnered an overwhelming 1,800 orders—proof of the market’s confidence in SWITCH Mobility’s vision for a sustainable urban transport future.”

About SWITCH Mobility

SWITCH Mobility, part of the Hinduja Group and a subsidiary of Ashok Leyland, is a global electric bus and light commercial vehicle manufacturer committed to advancing green mobility. Formed through a strategic collaboration between the engineering expertise of the Indian powerhouse Ashok Leyland and the British bus maker Optare, it seamlessly integrates the very best innovators and cutting-edge technology to deliver unrivaled product choices on a global scale. In 2014, SWITCH (then Optare) introduced the first British-built, pure electric buses to London’s roads, and since then has put over 950 EVs on the road, clocking up over 130 million kilometers globally.

SWITCH Mobility’s accomplishments are underscored by numerous awards, such as Most Trusted Brand of India, Company of the Year, L&ICV People Mover of the Year, Star Electric Bus of the Year, Sustainability Award, Best PR Campaign, and Most Trusted Brand of the Nation. Recognized as a Great Place to Work, SWITCH Mobility cultivates a corporate culture that values agility, innovation, and responsibility.