SWITCH Mobility, part of the Hinduja Group, and intercity operator Purple Bus have launched what they call the region’s first electric bus service, on the new Nagpur–Chandrapur route, extending Purple Bus’s intercity network further into Vidarbha. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari was present at the flag-off of the first six buses, part of a 50-bus order of SWITCH EiV12m intercity electric coaches for Purple Bus deployments in Vidarbha. The launch was timed for Dussehra, regarded as auspicious for new beginnings.
This is SWITCH Mobility’s third intercity deployment with Prasanna Purple Mobility Solutions this year, following electric coaches on the Mumbai–Pune and Dombivli–Pune routes. The companies say the partnership reflects growing operator confidence in electric buses for high-frequency intercity routes.
The EiV12m coach has 45 pushback seats and a range of 350 km per charge, with fast-charging capability. It has advanced safety systems, a quiet ride, and SWITCH iON connected technology for real-time monitoring.
Mr. Ganesh Mani, CEO of SWITCH Mobility, said Nagpur and Chandrapur share a close economic and cultural relationship, and that the launch supports the region’s growth and everyday movement.
Mr. Saurabh Patwadhan, Director at Purple Bus, said the aim is to make electric the default way people travel between cities. He said Purple Bus’s fleet has covered more than one million kilometres in electric intercity operations, and that its data shows electric coaches have a lower total cost of ownership and a lower cost per passenger-kilometre than diesel.