After electric cars it is the turn of bigger vehicles coming in full electric format for mass transportation. The Hinduja flagship Ashok Leyland has launched its first locally designed, engineered and produced battery electric bus series circuit.
The company has developed the circuit series electric bus, a zero-emission product, with some technology inputs sourced from its UK subsidiary Optare, which is a pioneer of electric buses.
“Depending on the configuration and battery sizes, we can extend up to 300 km. These buses can cost anywhere between Rs. 1.5 crore and Rs. 3.5 crore depending on the number of seats and battery sizes,” Vinod K Dasari, Managing Director, Ashok Leyland said, while unveiling the bus here.
Battery for these buses will be imported from US and is expected to last five to seven years. The local content in the bus is about 30-40 per cent. It will have a seating capacity for 31 passengers though it will be available in multiple configurations based on customers’ requirements.
It comes with several benefits such as zero emission, longer life cycle, lower maintenance costs and higher residual value when compared with conventional diesel buses, the high initial cost is one of the major barriers.
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