Jindal Stainless, India’s largest stainless steel manufacturer, has partnered with JBM Auto Ltd. on Tuesday for the fabrication of over 500 energy-efficient and light-weight stainless steel electric buses.

As per a company statement, Jindal Stainless will provide JT Tubes, made of low-carbon, chromium-manganese austenitic stainless steel, to JBM Auto. The material, also denoted as N7 in the Bureau of Indian Standards specification, 6911, has three times the strength of the carbon steel currently used to fabricate buses.

JBM Auto, with an order book of over 5000 electric buses, is progressing in a transitional manner towards fabricating its electric buses from the earlier used, carbon steel to stainless steel now. This would result in lightweighting, enhanced performance, and higher strength and durability of the buses, the statement added.

Abhyuday Jindal, Managing Director, Jindal Stainless, said, “Lighter vehicles improve energy consumption, thereby reducing the carbon footprint of the transport sector. Additionally, the corrosion-resistant nature of stainless steel mitigates the need for regular repairs and maintenance, thereby turning out to be the most cost effective solution on life cycle basis.”

Nishant Arya, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, JBM Auto Ltd, said, “Our mission is to provide intelligent electric vehicles with robust infrastructure support, making EVs the most sustainable mode of public commuting. I am confident that our collaboration with Jindal Stainless will act as a catalyst in achieving our mission.”

Currently, JBM Auto is also working towards transitioning its export orders for electric buses, into energy-efficient stainless steel buses. The material will be supplied through Jindal Stainless’ domestic service arm specialising in customisation and value addition, Jindal Stainless Steelway Limited (JSSL).

The JT Tubes, provided by JSSL, will be used in making the superstructure of the buses, tailored for domestic operations in Telangana and suitable to combat its corrosive environment. JBM Auto will commence fabrication of stainless steel buses this month, the company further added.