Astranova Mobility Expands to Electric Buses with Zingbus

Astranova Mobility has announced a strategic partnership with Zingbus to introduce fully electric intercity buses on the Delhi to Dehradun route, spanning over 275 kilometers. The collaboration marks Astranova's entry into the commercial bus financing segment, expanding its portfolio beyond two-wheelers, three-wheelers, passenger cars, light commercial vehicles, chargers, and trucks.

The first electric buses under this partnership are already operational, providing passengers with zero-emission travel while delivering improved operational economics for the bus operator. According to the companies, the electric buses offer lower per-kilometer costs compared to diesel alternatives, along with enhanced ride quality and reduced noise levels.

Zingbus has reported strong passenger adoption on its electric vehicle routes, with high vehicle uptime contributing to operational efficiency. The intercity bus platform plans to scale its electric fleet to 1,000 buses over the coming years as part of its clean mobility strategy.

Astranova Mobility has committed to leasing electric buses worth more than INR 200 crores over the next 12 months across various routes and operators, including Zingbus. The financing model is designed to address three primary barriers facing bus operators considering electrification: high upfront capital costs, range and charging infrastructure concerns, and asset management challenges.

Kunal Mundra, Founder and CEO of Astranova Mobility, emphasized the climate impact potential of intercity bus electrification. "Intercity buses account for a disproportionate share of transport emissions in India. Electrifying even a percentage of these seats will have an outsized climate impact," Mundra stated, noting the company's investments in engineering and data capabilities to support operators in this transition.

Prashant Kumar, CEO and Co-founder of Zingbus, highlighted the partnership's role in accelerating the company's electric vehicle expansion. "Astranova's financing model helps us move faster, and this partnership is directly accelerating our EV expansion on India's busiest routes," Kumar said, adding that passengers are actively choosing the cleaner, smoother ride experience.

The partnership structure includes customized leasing solutions that distribute capital costs over extended tenures, collaboration with original equipment manufacturers to address range concerns, and buyback and refurbishment programs to manage asset-related risks for operators.

Founded in 2023, Astranova Mobility has deployed over 25,000 electric vehicles worth more than INR 360 crores across various segments. The company, backed by the Asian Development Bank and AdvantEdge Founders, provides comprehensive services including asset selection, leasing, maintenance, roadside assistance, and refurbishment for commercial fleet electrification.

Zingbus, established in 2019, operates across 350-plus cities with a fleet of over 300 buses and has completed more than 6 million journeys. The platform partners with bus operators to provide technology-enabled intercity travel services, including real-time tracking, dynamic routing, and predictive operations.

The deployment reflects broader industry trends as intercity bus operators explore electric alternatives for high-frequency routes, contributing to India's net-zero emissions objectives. The electrification of large commercial vehicles remains a critical component of the country's transportation decarbonization efforts.