Ashok Leyland plans to launch Optare electric buses in India in 2015

Ashok Leyland plans to introduce its Optare electric buses in India during the Busworld India 2015 expo which takes place in Mumbai next year. The company currently manufactures electric and hybrid buses in the UK through its UK arm, Optare Plc.

Speaking at a media meet in Chennai today, Vinod Dasari, managing director, Ashok Leyland, said: “Being the world’s fourth largest manufacturer of buses and the largest provider of electric vehicles through Optare’s facility in the UK, we are well placed to help reduce the carbon footprint of the world. With the launch of Optare electric buses, we are bringing the technology to India”.

Both the Solo and Versa models of the electric vehicle will be introduced in January 2015. These buses will be manufactured at the company’s Alwar or Trichy plants. The company displayed its Optare diesel-engined bus in Chennai today.

Dasari said electric and hybrid buses are expensive and could be successful only through government support. “In 2013, we sold 100 buses in the UK with the support of the government. Introducing them here will need support from the Indian government, especially the state government.”

Dasari added, "We have to lead the way for newer technology. Twenty years ago, when we introduced CNG buses, there was no infrastructure available but today these buses are running successfully on Indian roads.”

Electric buses are mainly used for city transportation and short distance runs like those on airport tarmacs or the campuses of large companies. According to Dasari, Ashok Leyland is already talking to some state governments and a few have evinced interest in these green buses.

Dasari was speaking on the occasion of the visit of Dr Vince Cable, MP, UK Secretary of State for Business, Innovation & Skills, to Ashok Leyland’s headquarters. Dr. Cable is in Chennai with a delegation of UK manufacturing businesses who are exploring collaboration with Indian businesses. 

Photograph: Optare diesel bus on display at the Ashok Leyland Chennai office.