SWITCH Mobility, the electric vehicle subsidiary of Ashok Leyland and part of the Hinduja Group, has introduced an electric double decker sightseeing bus service in New Delhi. The service, branded 'Dekho Meri Dilli', operates under the company's Corporate Social Responsibility programme and marks what SWITCH describes as Delhi's first zero-emission double decker sightseeing experience.
The full-day route departs from Dilli Haat–INA at 9:00 am and passes through several of the capital's prominent heritage and cultural landmarks, including Vijay Chowk, Rashtrapati Bhavan, the National Museum, the National Gallery of Modern Art, Pradhan Mantri Sangrahalya, and India Gate and the National War Memorial. Passengers return to Dilli Haat–INA by 6:00 pm.
The bus used for the service is the SWITCH EiV 22, which the company describes as India's first standard-floor, air-conditioned electric double decker. The vehicle is equipped with a 231 kWh NMC chemistry battery pack, offers a range of up to 250 kilometres, and can accommodate 65 passengers. It features a 650V electrical architecture, dual-gun charging, and liquid-cooled battery technology. According to SWITCH, the bus is manufactured domestically in compliance with the Indian government's FAME II scheme.
SWITCH Mobility stated that electric double decker buses under its brand are currently operational in several Indian cities, including Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bhubaneswar, and Kerala. The company also reported that 100 electric tourist hop-on hop-off buses are running across 10 locations in India.
Ashok Leyland's electric mobility division was formed to consolidate the group's electric bus and light commercial vehicle operations. The company says it has deployed over 2,400 electric buses globally, accumulating more than 150 million kilometres of operation.