Switch EiV12 electric bus launched: Up to 500km range, WiFi, reclining seats and more – Times of India

Switch Mobility, the EV arm of Ashok Leyland, today launched its first electric bus platform, EIV12, in Chennai. The e-bus will be offered in two variants – EiV12 low-floor and EiV12 standard. switch mobility The new platform is claimed to be versatile and will offer the best in reliability, range and ride comfort across various variants and markets. At present, the company has reported an order book of over 600 buses. Of these, 50 are being built in Ashok LeylandEnnore plant in Tamil Nadu, where Rs 1,000 crore was recently announced for the EV branch. Mahesh Babu, Director and CEO, Switch Mobility India said that 50 e-buses are expected to reach the stakeholders by the end of June 2022.

The EiV12 platform can support battery packs ranging from 111kW to 460kW. The battery packs lithium-ion NMC chemistry, which gives it a range of up to 100kms, 300kms and 500kms with dual gun charging. Dual Gun Fast Charging up to 240kWh is supported and which can charge the bus from 0-80 percent in less than an hour. The e-bus platform also houses the company’s proprietary ‘Switch ION’ connected technology solution. The system provides over 100+ connectivity features for executives and operators to analyze and improve efficiency. It includes remote diagnostics, system monitoring and digital battery management tools. Switch Mobility claims that its vehicle-controlled software can provide up to 20 percent better range.

In terms of comfort features, the EiV12 platform will offer air-conditioning along with an air-purifying system. Convenience facilities like WiFi, USB charging, reading light and reclining seat will also be provided at the commission point. Switch Mobility said that the e-buses based on the EiV12 platform will be introduced under the ‘mobility as a service’ model. This means customers like existing STUs will pay per km instead of buying a bus and operating it. This model is an emerging trend as seen recently with the Tata Commercial Vehicles division offering its e-buses as a service after winning CESL’s huge e-bus tender for over 4,500 buses Is. However, initially, existing Ashok Leyland dealers will have access to Switch Mobility’s inventory.

Switch Mobility Director and CEO, Mahesh Babu also told TOI Auto that it wants to achieve up to 60 per cent localization in the EIV12 platform. The Permanent Magnet Synchronous AC Motor produces 235kW of peak power and 140kW of continuous power. In terms of torque, the motor is good for 3,100Nm and is manufactured in Pune. The company is also working with an undisclosed partner to localize cells in battery packs.

The EiV12 platform is suitable for a wide variety of applications such as intra-city, inter-city, schools and airports. Ashok Leyland currently holds 93 per cent stake in Switch Mobility. Mr. Dheeraj Hinduja, Chairman, Switch Mobility Limited said, “We aspire to make electric products more accessible in India, UK, Europe and many global markets, which are contributing significantly to the rapidly growing zero-carbon mobility. With a strong legacy and proven expertise of Hinduja Group and Ashok Leyland in the commercial vehicle market, we are confident that through more such offerings, electric buses And with the soon-to-be-launched Electric Light Vehicle, we will accelerate our vision to be at the forefront of this emerging market.”