SWITCH EiV9 Electric Bus Debuts at Prawaas 5.0 in India
SWITCH Mobility launches new 9-metre electric bus at Prawaas 5.0 as demand for clean public transport grows
Electric vehicle manufacturer SWITCH Mobility has introduced its new 9-metre electric bus, the SWITCH EiV9, at Prawaas 5.0, India’s flagship exhibition for multimodal transport. The launch comes as public transport agencies, private fleet operators and educational institutions continue to increase investment in zero-emission vehicles to reduce fuel costs and meet environmental goals.
SWITCH Mobility Ltd, part of the Hinduja Group, said the new model has been developed for city bus services, employee transport and school operations. The company also introduced its new #SwitchKaro campaign, which encourages businesses and fleet owners to move towards electric mobility.
India has become one of the world’s fastest-growing electric bus markets. Government programmes such as the PM eBus Sewa Scheme and earlier initiatives under the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (FAME) programme have encouraged state transport undertakings and private operators to replace diesel buses with electric alternatives. Industry reports indicate that the country’s electric bus segment is expected to record strong growth during the second half of this decade as cities work to improve air quality while reducing operating costs.
Speaking during the launch, Ganesh Mani, CEO of SWITCH Mobility, said the company expects strong demand in the 9-metre category.
“The launch of the all-new SWITCH EiV9 marks an important milestone in our growth journey as we strengthen our presence across key public and institutional mobility segments. We see strong momentum in this category, with the 9m electric bus market expected to grow at a CAGR of nearly 34% by FY30, driven by increasing demand. The EiV9 has been purpose-built to deliver what operators value most: higher efficiency, superior passenger comfort, advanced safety and lower operating costs. It represents our commitment to developing solutions that not only accelerate the adoption of electric mobility but also create tangible business value for our customers.
“At SWITCH Mobility, we believe the transition to cleaner transportation will be driven by practical choices that make both environmental and economic sense. This philosophy is reflected in our new #SwitchKaro campaign, which encourages fleet operators and businesses to make the switch to smarter, more sustainable mobility solutions.”
The 9-metre bus segment has become increasingly important because it offers greater flexibility than larger city buses while carrying more passengers than smaller commercial vehicles. Such buses are commonly used for urban feeder routes, company transport services, educational institutions and medium-capacity public transport networks.
According to SWITCH Mobility, the EiV9 has been designed to reduce operating costs while improving vehicle performance. The bus uses a lightweight platform combined with an electric driveline intended to improve energy efficiency. Operators can choose from different battery pack configurations depending on route length and daily operating requirements.
The vehicle is equipped with regenerative braking, which helps recover energy during braking, and supports dual-gun CCS2 fast charging to reduce charging time and improve vehicle availability. Power comes from a Permanent Magnet Variable Reluctance (PMVR) motor capable of delivering up to 213 kW of peak power, providing smooth acceleration and consistent performance under different operating conditions.
Passenger comfort has also been given considerable attention. The bus features a spacious interior, full front and rear air suspension, ergonomic seating and individual USB charging ports for passengers. A pushback seating option is available for staff transportation services where passengers typically travel longer distances.
Safety equipment includes a Fire Detection and Suppression System (FDSS), disc brakes on both front and rear axles and an electric architecture designed to support reliable operation across different road and weather conditions. Fire detection systems have become increasingly common in electric buses as manufacturers continue to improve battery safety standards and passenger protection.
Alongside the EiV9, SWITCH Mobility presented an upgraded version of its EiV12 Intercity electric bus. The vehicle has been developed for long-distance passenger services and includes reclining seats with dedicated multi-port charging facilities for every passenger.
The EiV12 Intercity also features floor-mounted lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery packs that lower the vehicle’s centre of gravity, front and rear air suspension and dual gun DC fast charging to reduce turnaround time between journeys.
Driver comfort and safety have been enhanced through a pneumatic suspension driver’s seat, camera-based Digital Outside Rear View Mirrors (ORVMs) and an integrated Fire Detection and Suppression System.
The intercity bus is built on an architecture designed and manufactured in India and is equipped with SWITCH iON, the company’s connected vehicle platform. The system provides real-time diagnostics, remote vehicle monitoring and digital battery management to help operators improve fleet performance and reduce downtime.
The launch reflects growing competition in India’s electric commercial vehicle market. Domestic and international manufacturers are expanding their electric bus portfolios as transport authorities seek cleaner alternatives to diesel-powered fleets. Rising fuel prices, lower maintenance requirements and government support have strengthened the business case for electric buses, particularly in urban transport.
Industry analysts believe electric buses will continue to play a central role in India’s efforts to reduce transport-related emissions while modernising public transport systems. Although higher purchase prices remain a challenge, improvements in battery technology, charging infrastructure and total lifecycle costs have encouraged wider adoption by public transport agencies and private fleet operators.
With the introduction of the EiV9 and the upgraded EiV12 Intercity, SWITCH Mobility is expanding its presence in both urban and intercity electric bus segments as demand for cleaner public transport solutions continues to grow across India.
