Ashok Leyland's electric mobility arm OHM Global Mobility has bagged an order for 500 12-m ultra-low floor electric buses from the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC), Chennai.
The electric buses are designed to comfortably seat 37 passengers, with space for an additional 24 standing passengers, and offer a range of over 200 kilometres per charge. Switch Mobility, another subsidiary of Ashok Leyland, will supply Switch EiV12 model buses to OHM, who in turn shall operate and maintain the buses over a period of 12 years, as per the contract awarded by MTC. While 400 of these buses will be non-AC, 100 buses will be equipped with air conditioning as well.
"This new order underscores our dedication to producing highly efficient and technologically advanced products, driving the growth of public transportation in the country. Our SWITCH EiV12 buses combine cutting-edge technology, reliability, and comfort, making them the ideal solution for modern cities," said Shenu Agarwal, MD and CEO of Ashok Leyland.
Switch already has over 950 vehicles in operation and with this order has a healthy order book of over 2000 vehicles, he added. The SWITCH EiV12 is powered by a robust 650V electric architecture and features IP67-rated batteries, ensuring durability and safety.
To ensure efficient operations, charging infrastructure will be developed at six key depots: Perumbur, Perumbakam, Poonamalle, Vyasapandi, Thondiapet, and KK Nagar. These charging hubs will ensure that the buses can operate efficiently across the city, reducing downtime and enabling consistent service delivery.