Switch Mobility Unveils India’s First and Unique Electric Double Decker Bus

Switch Mobility has unveiled the Switch EiV 22, India's first electric double decker air-conditioned bus. Switch EiV 22 is equipped with the newest technology, ultra-modern design, maximum safety, and best-in-class comfort features, and was designed, developed, and produced in India using Switch's worldwide electric bus experience. The redesigned famous double decker bus is intended to transform public transportation in the country and to set new benchmarks in the intra-city bus industry.

Switch Mobility Ltd

The new electric double decker bus is a significant achievement in terms of packaging, making it the world's first - "semi low floor", air conditioned, electric double decker with wider door on rear overhang and a rear staircase. The double decker has a lightweight aluminium body construction, which offers higher passenger to weight ratio and a competitive cost per kilometre, per passenger.

Talking about the brand’s entry into the EV double decker space for the Indian market, Mr. Mahesh Babu, CEO os Switch Mobility India 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.

Despite only an 18% increase in curb weight, the Switch electric double decker bus can transport nearly twice as many seated people as a comparable single decker bus. The design of the double decker is based on a 650V system, which is also used by the Switch e1 and Switch EiV 12.

The double decker boasts wide front and back doors, two staircases, and an emergency door that conform with the latest safety standards, as well as modern aesthetics and feel-good interiors and exteriors. The onboard air conditioning system provides efficient cooling in India's hot climate. Seating is for 65 passengers, the highest number of seats that can be delivered in the given footprint. Each seat features a lightweight cushion, and the interiors provide car-like comfort for passengers. 

This electric double decker is touted to be the perfect answer for inter-urban travel, since it takes up less road, terminal, and depot floor area per seated passenger.

Powering Switch EiV 22 is a 231 kWh, 2-string, liquid cooled, high density NMC chemistry battery pack, with dual gun charging system. This enables the electric double decker to have a range up to 250 kilometres for intra-city applications.

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.

Bus components are manufactured in India which will enable to achieve FAME II compliance.