Switch Mobility Launches Electric Intercity Bus Service in Vidarbha; 50 EiV12m Coaches Ordered
Switch Mobility, the electric mobility arm of the Hinduja Group, has expanded its electric intercity bus operations in Maharashtra with the launch of a new service connecting Nagpur and Chandrapur.
The initiative, undertaken in partnership with Purple Bus, marks an important step towards electrifying regional passenger transport in the Vidarbha region.
The first batch of six Switch EiV12m electric coaches has been flagged off as part of a larger order for 50 electric buses, which are planned for deployment across Vidarbha.
The launch, announced on October 20, 2026, follows the company's earlier electric intercity bus deployments on the Mumbai–Pune and Dombivli–Pune corridors.
Expanding Electric Mobility Beyond Urban Transport
Switch Mobility has been steadily expanding its footprint in India's electric bus industry. While much of the country's electric bus deployment has traditionally focused on urban public transport, the company's partnership with Purple Bus demonstrates the potential of battery-electric coaches for regional and intercity travel.
The Nagpur–Chandrapur service represents the first private electric intercity bus service announced for the Vidarbha region.
For passengers, electric coaches offer quieter journeys and zero tailpipe emissions. For fleet operators, the potential advantages include lower energy and maintenance costs, although actual operating economics depend on vehicle utilisation, electricity tariffs, charging infrastructure and financing costs.
Switch EiV12m: Designed for Longer-Distance Travel
The electric coach features a 45-seat pushback seating configuration, intended to provide improved comfort on longer journeys.
The reported operating range of 350 km per charge makes it suitable for selected regional routes where reliable charging infrastructure is available.
Switch Mobility's EiV12 intercity platform also incorporates connected vehicle technology and fast-charging capabilities, supporting fleet management and reducing vehicle downtime.
Third Major Intercity Deployment in 2026
The partnership between Switch Mobility and Purple Bus has grown during 2026.
Corridor | Rollout |
Mumbai–Pune | April 2026 |
Dombivli–Pune | October 2026 |
Nagpur–Chandrapur | October 2026 |
At the latest flag-off, attended by Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, Purple Bus also reported that its electric intercity fleet had travelled more than one million kilometres.
Auto Punditz Take
The latest deployment signals a potentially important transition in India's electric commercial vehicle market. Until recently, electric bus adoption largely centred on government-funded city transport operations. Switch Mobility's growing partnership with private intercity operators suggests that electrification is beginning to find applications beyond metropolitan public transport.
However, long-term commercial viability will depend on battery reliability, charging turnaround, route economics and fleet utilisation. A claimed 350 km range is promising for regional corridors, but real-world performance with full passenger loads, air-conditioning and varying road conditions will be equally important.
The bigger development isn't simply the deployment of six electric coaches. It is the 50-bus commitment and the possibility of replicating this operating model across India's intercity transport network.
