Green electric tourist bus
| Photo Credit:
Scharfsinn86
The launches include premium coaches, electric school buses, city buses and battery-swapping technology, underscoring the industry’s focus on electrification, lower operating costs and next-generation fleet solutions.On the opening day of the multimodal transport exhibition, MG Group launched Starz, a premium coach platform targeting intercity travel, tourism, staff transportation and institutional mobility. The company announced an order for 50 units received immediately after the launch. Priced from around ₹39 lakh, Starz will be offered in multiple diesel and alternate-fuel configurations, with bookings commencing this month. The company said the platform was developed following extensive engagement with fleet operators and OEM partners, focusing on passenger comfort, safety, ride quality and lower lifecycle costs.The passenger transportation sector is undergoing a profound transformation driven by higher expectations around safety, comfort, reliability and sustainability. Starz embodies decades of manufacturing expertise and our commitment to innovation,” stated Anil Mohan Kamat, Chairman and Managing Director of MG Group that operates manufacturing facilities at Belagavi in Karnataka and Zaheerabad in Telangana.Electric commercial vehicle manufacturer EKA Mobility expanded its portfolio with the launch of the EKA 9M Electric School Bus, built on its lightweight monocoque platform for school transportation. The bus accommodates 43 passengers plus the driver, complies with AIS-052 standards and is equipped with Electronic Braking System (EBS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and air suspension. It is offered with 100 kWh and 200 kWh LFP battery packs, providing a range of up to 180 km on a single charge while supporting CCS2 fast charging, enabling a recharge in under 1 hour and 45 minutes.“The launch reflects our commitment to developing purpose-built electric mobility solutions for India’s evolving transportation ecosystem,” stated Sudhir Mehta, Founder and Chairman of EKA Mobility. The company also showcased its EKA Coach, EKA 12M Low Entry Electric Bus, EKA 3S and EKA 6S at the exhibition.SWITCH Mobility, part of the Hinduja Group, introduced the 9-metre SWITCH EiV9, targeting city transit, employee transportation and school mobility. The electric bus features a Permanent Magnet Variable Reluctance (PMVR) motor delivering up to 213 kW of peak power, multiple battery configurations, regenerative braking and dual-gun CCS2 fast charging. Passenger features include air suspension, USB charging points and optional pushback seats, while safety systems include a Fire Detection and Suppression System (FDSS) and disc brakes on both axles. The company also unveiled its #SwitchKaro campaign aimed at encouraging fleet operators to accelerate the adoption of electric mobility and showcased the upgraded EiV12 Intercity electric bus featuring reclining seats, digital outside rear-view mirrors, floor-mounted LFP batteries and its proprietary SWITCH iON connected vehicle platform.Meanwhile, SUN Mobility showcased what it described as the world’s first Modular Multi-Battery Swappable Solution integrated with the Tata Starbus 12-metre EV platform, aimed at addressing charging downtime and reducing the upfront cost of electrification for commercial bus operators. The modular architecture enables two batteries to be swapped simultaneously in under five minutes and supports both 50 kWh and 100 kWh battery configurations across commercial vehicles ranging from 3 tonnes to 55 tonnes GVW. Under the company’s Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) model, fleet operators pay only for energy consumption rather than purchasing battery packs, reducing vehicle acquisition costs and eliminating battery replacement risks.SUN Mobility said the solution supports staff transport, city transit and intercity operations through a common battery-swapping platform while leveraging a cloud-based digital network for battery health monitoring, predictive maintenance and over-the-air software updates. Published on July 9, 2026
