Chennai-based Ashok Leyland is upping the ante in electric buses. The company, which recently outlined plans for subsidiary firm Switch Mobility Automotive to drive its EV growth strategy in India, has bagged an order for supply of 40 electric buses to Chandigarh, capital city of Punjab.

On August 11, the first Ashok Leyland e-bus was flagged off by the Governor of Chandigarh Union Territory, VP Singh Badnore. The 40 e-buses, which will be supplied to Chandigarh City Bus Services Society (CCBSS) under the FAME II Scheme, will ply on routes set by the Chandigarh Transport Undertaking (CTU).

Ashok Leyland will operate and maintain the fleet and will also develop the charging infrastructure across four CTU locations (Depot-3, ISBT-17, ISBT-43 & PGI) in Chandigarh.  It is estimated this 40-strong e-bus fleet will save approximately 650,000 litres of diesel (Rs 5.81 crore – Rs 89.50 per litre of diesel in Chandigarh today) while reducing carbon emissions to the tune of 1,700 tonnes per annum. 

The charging stations are be developed by the company’s electric vehicle arm, Switch Mobility, in partnership with Siemens. In April 2021, Siemens and Switch Mobility inked an MOU aimed at delivering efficient, cost-effective and sustainable e-Mobility solutions to commercial vehicle customers in India.