Kalyani Powertrain Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bharat Forge, has partnered with APSRTC to convert a diesel-powered bus into a fully electric “Super Luxury” AC coach.
The retrofitted bus is claimed to offer a driving range of more than 230 km on a single charge and will be deployed for operational trials on APSRTC routes.
According to a report by The Times of India, the converted bus, originally commissioned in 2017 and operated by APSRTC’s Tirupati region, has been transformed into a battery-electric vehicle with an expected range of over 230 km on a single charge. The vehicle will now undergo on-road and commercial trials before being deployed on intercity operations.
The report added that the retrofit process involved removing the diesel engine, fuel tank and associated mechanical components before integrating an electric powertrain, battery system and a new air-conditioned bus body. The charging setup includes a 240 kW fast charger, with a charging time estimated at around two hours from 20 per cent to full capacity.
The initiative is part of Kalyani Powertrain’s focus on commercial vehicle electrification and retrofit solutions. The Pune-based company, which operates as Bharat Forge’s dedicated e-mobility arm, develops electric powertrains and related technologies for buses and commercial vehicles.
Bharat Forge has been expanding its presence in electric mobility through investments in EV technologies, components and commercial vehicle electrification programmes.
For APSRTC, the retrofit programme is aimed at evaluating alternatives to full fleet replacement as state transport undertakings increasingly adopt electric mobility solutions for public transport operations.