India’s largest bus manufacturer Ashok Leyland’s net-zero emissions electric mobility company Switch Mobility plans its double decker buses back in circulation but in a new and improved electric avatar.
Designed, developed and manufactured in India and utilising Switch’s global electric bus experience, Switch EiV 22 is equipped with the latest technology, ultra-modern design, highest safety and best-in-class comfort features. The renewed iconic double decker bus is designed to revolutionize public transportation in the country and will set new standards in the intra-city bus market.
The Switch EiV 22 is a significant achievement in terms of packaging, making it the world’s first – semi low floor, air conditioned, electric double decker with wider door on rear overhang and a rear staircase. The double decker has a lightweight aluminium body construction, which offers higher passenger to weight ratio and a competitive cost per km, per passenger.
Switch Mobility is expecting e-bus volumes in the country to triple next year from current levels as various state transport undertakings (STUs), road transport corporations and private bus operators look to take the electric mobility route.
Switch India has already secured an order of 200 electric double decker buses in Mumbai and is looking at a dominant space in the electric double decker segment, across key regions in the country.
“There is a need to transform the country’s transport system from a long-term perspective. With focus on reforming urban transport, we are trying to build a low footprint and high passenger density integrated EV mobility ecosystem,” Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highways of India, said at the event in Mumbai, congratulating Switch Mobility for being able to revive the double decker and remaining committed to introducing new technologies for the benefit of passengers and society, at large.
Dheeraj Hinduja, Chairman – Switch Mobility, said, “It’s an extremely proud moment for us as we bring back the iconic double decker to India. Ashok Leyland was a pioneer among Indian manufacturers when it first launched the double decker in 1967 in Mumbai and Switch is carrying forward that legacy. With our strong expertise in double deckers, both in India and UK and with over 100 Switch electric double deckers in service on UK roads, we are happy to not only bring back this icon to life and look forward to introducing newer Electric products for the Indian and European markets, always keeping the customers at the forefront.”
Andy Palmer, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO – Switch Mobility Ltd, commented, “As a carbon neutral mobility company Switch is focused on delivering innovative solutions to help authorities and operators decarbonise their public transport systems.
The Switch EiV 22 is the latest such innovation and builds on our expertise within the electric double-decker segment to deliver a product with class leading efficiency for the Indian market. With our Switch EiV 22 and Metrodecker buses, we are now well positioned to address the global double-decker market and support cities in meeting their net zero targets.”
Talking about the brand’s entry into the EV double decker space for the Indian market, Mr. Mahesh Babu, CEO – Switch Mobility India, COO – Switch Mobility Ltd, said, “We are pleased to unveil the Switch EiV 22, India’s first and unique electric double decker. We have strived to meet multiple challenges to fulfil new age customer requirements, while retaining the iconic double decker lineage.
Drawing from the experience of running 100 such buses in the UK for Transport for London (TfL), the bus has been designed, developed and manufactured in India from the Chennai plant. The bodywork has been done here in Mumbai. Utilising Switch’s global electric bus experience, Switch EiV 22 is claimed to have been equipped with the latest technology, ultra-modern design, highest safety and best-in-class comfort features.
The renewed iconic bus is designed to revolutionise public transportation in the intra-city bus segment. The Switch EiV 22 is a significant achievement in terms of packaging, making it the world’s first – semi-low floor, air-conditioned, an electric double-decker with a wider door on the rear overhang and a rear staircase. The double-decker has a lightweight aluminium body construction, which offers a higher passenger-to-weight ratio and a competitive cost per km, per passenger, explained Babu.
The Switch EiV 22 is designed and developed to meet Indian conditions, while at the same time provide superior customer comfort and delight. Mumbai and double deckers are synonymous with public transport, and we are certain that Switch EiV 22 will not only bring back fond memories for Mumbaikars, but will transform the public transport space in terms of sustainability and footprint which is the need of the hour in India.”
The Switch electric double decker can ferry nearly twice the number of seated passengers as a comparable single decker bus with just 18% increase in kerb weight. The architecture of the double decker uses a 650 V system – the same platform as Switch EiV 12, launched in June 2022, which is also common with Switch e1.
With contemporary styling and feel-good interiors and exteriors, the double decker boasts of wide front and rear doors, two staircases and an emergency door complying with the latest safety standards. The AC offers effective cooling in India’s hot climatic conditions, while the optimized seating for 65 passengers is the maximum number of seats to be offered in the given footprint. Each seat has a lightweight cushion and the interiors come with car like comfort for passenger convenience. This state-of-the-art electric double decker serves as an ideal solution for urban commuting, as they occupy less road, terminal and depot floor space per seated passenger.
Switch India has already secured an order of 200 electric double decker buses in Mumbai and is looking at a dominant space in the electric double decker segment, across key regions in the country. Bus components are manufactured in India which will enable to achieve FAME II compliance.
Ashok Leyland was the original company to deliver double decker buses to BEST in 1967. Though their numbers have dwindled over the years, they continue to ply on some of the busiest routes in Mumbai.
OHM, a subsidiary of Ashok Leyland will own the buses, run the operations and do the charging, maintenance of the vehicle. Switch will look at the annual maintenance contract (AMC) through its dealer partners.
Specs
Switch’s electric double decker has a lightweight aluminium body construction — which the company claims offers higher passenger to weight ratio and a competitive cost per km per passenger.
The Switch EiV 22 has a 231-kWh capacity, 2-string, liquid cooled, higher density NMC chemistry battery pack with dual gun charging system. This enables the bus to have a range up to 250 kms for intra-city applications.
The Switch double decker can ferry nearly twice the number of seated passengers as a comparable single decker bus with just 18 percent increase in kerb weight. The architecture of the double decker uses a 650 V system — the same platform as Switch EiV 12 launched in June, which is also common with Switch e1.
The buses with seating capacity of at least 30, will have recliner seats and air-conditioning, among other features and will be deployed across metros and other cities.
These 65-seater buses will replace the existing double-decker fleet of the civic-run undertaking after undergoing registration and requisite tests, officials said.
The bus has red below the lower deck windows on all sides, but most of the upper deck is painted black and the latter dominates as the windows also have a strong black tint.
Other changes in the new buses include two stairs, one in the rear and another just behind the driver, and pneumatic doors, one wide near the rear wheels and a standard size opening at the front.
Existing double decker buses have a single wide door, while some conventional buses with double doors had seen one of them being sealed by BEST authorities.
The interior of the new double-decker buses set to be introduced are white with green hued seats with belts, and passenger amenities include laptop and mobile phone charging points and a passenger address (PA) system.
However, head space for those on the window seats may be on the lower side due to the AC duct, which may cause some problem for tall passengers on the stairway behind the driver as well. The BEST ferries around 30 lakh passengers every day with a fleet of 3,700 buses.
FEATURES
The Switch EiV 22 has been designed with the driver and passenger experience in mind. Step inside the cabin to discover premium interior design, high-quality materials, lightweight cushions and other car-like features for your most comfortable commute yet.
This state-of-the-art EV is fitted with the latest AC technology, offering effective cooling in India’s hot climatic conditions. Features include extra-wide front and rear doors, two staircases and an emergency door complying with the latest safety standards.
The double-decker serves as the ideal solution for city transportation. With optimised seating, the Switch EiV 22 can comfortably transport 65 seated passengers, occupying less road, terminal and depot floor space per seated passenger.