OHM Global Mobility Bags Order For 500 Electric Buses From MTC, Chennai

The Indian flagship of the Hinduja Group and a commercial vehicle manufacturer, Ashok Leyland's subsidiary OHM Global Mobility has bagged an order for 500 12-m ultra-low floor electric buses from the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC), Chennai. OHM is Ashok Leyland’s electric mobility arm, focused on Mobility-as-a-Service business. 

Switch Mobility, another subsidiary of Ashok Leyland, shall supply state-of-the-art, Switch EiV12 model buses to OHM, who in turn shall operate and maintain the buses over a period of 12 years, as per the contract awarded by MTC. While 400 of these buses will be non-AC, 100 buses will be equipped with air conditioning as well, ensuring a comfortable commute for passengers across the city of Chennai. 

The electric buses are designed to seat 37 passengers, with space for an additional 24 standing passengers. Engineered for both comfort and efficiency, the buses feature an ultra-low-floor design, enabling faster and easier boarding, these buses come with a range of over 200 kilometers per charge.

To ensure efficient operations, charging infrastructure will be developed at six key depots: Perumbur, Perumbakam, Poonamalle, Vyasapandi, Thondiapet, and KK Nagar. These charging hubs will ensure that the buses can operate efficiently across the city, reducing downtime and enabling consistent service delivery.

Commenting on bagging this order, Shenu Agarwal, MD & CEO of Ashok Leyland, said, “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. Switch already has over 950 vehicles in operation and with this order has a healthy order book of over 2000 vehicles.”

The Switch EiV12 is powered by a 650V electric architecture and features IP67-rated batteries, ensuring durability and safety.  Designed for inclusivity, the bus is equipped with a wheelchair ramp and secure anchorage points, making it fully wheelchair accessible. It also offers the highest seating capacity in its segment, with chassis-mounted batteries that provide lower center of gravity, enhancing stability and manoeuvrability in congested urban areas.