Ashok Leyland subsidiary secures order for 500 e-buses from MTC, Chennai • EVreporter

Ashok Leyland, part of the Hinduja Group and a major Indian commercial vehicle manufacturer, announced that its subsidiary, OHM Global Mobility, has received an order for 500 12-meter electric buses from the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC), Chennai. OHM, Ashok Leyland’s electric mobility division, focuses on the Mobility-as-a-Service business.

Switch Mobility, another subsidiary of Ashok Leyland, will supply the Switch EiV12 model buses to OHM. These buses will be operated and maintained by OHM over a 12-year period under the contract awarded by MTC. Out of the 500 buses, 400 will be non-AC, while 100 will be air-conditioned.

The electric buses will accommodate 37 seated passengers and provide standing space for 24. With a range of over 200 kilometers per charge, the buses are suited for long city routes in Chennai, offering continuous service. The buses feature a low-floor design to improve passenger access and reduce travel time.

The Switch EiV12 is equipped with a 650V electric system and IP67-rated batteries. The buses are also designed to be wheelchair accessible, with a ramp and secure anchorage points. They offer seating capacity in their segment, with chassis-mounted batteries that lower the center of gravity, improving stability and handling in urban areas.

Charging infrastructure will be established at six depots in Chennai—Perumbur, Perumbakam, Poonamalle, Vyasapandi, Thondiapet, and KK Nagar—ensuring operations and minimizing downtime.

Mr. Shenu Agarwal, MD & CEO of Ashok Leyland, said, “We are excited to continue our long-standing partnership with the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) and be a partner in their journey towards green public transportation. This new order underscores our dedication to producing highly efficient and technologically advanced products, driving the growth of public transportation in the country. Our SWITCH EiV12 buses combine cutting-edge technology, reliability, and comfort, making them the ideal solution for modern cities. We are committed to driving the transition to electric mobility, and this partnership with MTC is a step forward in creating cleaner, more efficient transport systems. Switch already has over 950 vehicles in operation and with this order has a healthy order book of over 2000 vehicles.”

Also read: Ashok Leyland announces INR 1200 crore investment in Switch Mobility for EV expansion