EV maker Switch Mobility has unveiled India's first and unique electric double decker air-conditioned bus - Switch EiV 22. The bus is designed, developed and manufactured in India, thereby meeting localization requirements to meet FAME II incentives.
The company claims that the EiV 22 e-bus 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, it adds.
Talking about the brand's entry into the EV double decker space in India, Mahesh Babu, CEO – Switch Mobility India and 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".
"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", he added.
Powering Switch EiV 22 is a 231 kWh capacity, 2-string, liquid cooled, higher density NMC chemistry battery pack with dual gun charging system. This enables the electric double decker to have a range up to 250 kms for intra city applications.
The double-decker can seat up to 65 passengers, almost twice the number of seated passengers as a comparable single decker bus, with just 18 percent increase in kerb weight. It also boasts a lightweight aluminium body construction, offering higher passenger to weight ratio and a competitive cost per km, per passenger, the company claims.
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 decarbonize 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".
He added that with Switch EiV 22 and Metrodecker buses, his company is now well positioned to address the global double-decker market and support cities in meeting their net zero targets.
Switch Mobility 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.