Electric double decker bus in Mumbai to ply soon: Transforming India's urban transportation - key highlights

Switch EiV 22: Switch Mobility has unveiled the first electric double-decker air-conditioned bus in India. The event was organised in Mumbai on Thursday. The electric bus was launched by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari in the presence of Switch India CEO Mahesh Babu, Alternative Energy and Sustainability Initiative president Shome Hinduja and Ashok P Hinduja.

According to the company, the bus is equipped with the latest technology, ultra-modern design, highest safety and best-in-class comfort features.

Key highlights of India's first electric double-decker air-conditioned bus - Switch EiV 22:

1. The electric double-decker AC bus EiV22 is powered by a 231 kWh capacity, 2-string, liquid-cooled, higher density NMC chemistry battery pack with dual gun charging system. This enables the Switch EiV 22 to have a range of up to 250km for intra-city applications.

2. The electric double-decker bus delivers exceptional drive performance. Embedded with proprietary solutions including ‘Switch iON’ to enable remote, real-time diagnostics and monitoring as well as world-class digital battery management tools.

3. Switch EiV 22 has a lightweight rollover compliant bus body and is easy to manoeuvre. Turn tight corners and navigate congested traffic conditions with ease.

4. Switch EiV 22 has highest safety standards and AIS 038 safety regulations.

5. It has a liquid cooling battery chiller system mounted inside the bus to maintain HV battery at optimum operating temperature.

6. The bus has air conditioner, electric double-decker featuring a wider door on the rear overhang and a rear staircase. It also has lightweight cushions and premium interiors for elevated passenger comfort.

7. The double-decker is designed, developed and manufactured in India using Switch’s global expertise.

8. 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.

9. 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.