Switch Mobility entered the Indian passenger mobility space this year with the launch of the EiV 12 single-decker bus and the more recent EiV 22 electric double-decker. However, while the company is currently only focusing on their current two electric models, it has plans to turn India into a production hub for vehicles for other developing markets.
Speaking to carandbike, Mahesh Babu, CEO, Switch Mobility India, said, “We will be looking at manufacturing in India and exporting to similar growth markets. We are looking at the Middle East, we’re looking at Southeast Asia, we’re looking at Africa.”
Mahesh Babu said that Switch’s parent firm Ashok Leyland had over 50 touch points in global markets with Switch looking to leverage these to export its models from India in the future.
Also read: Switch Mobility India Could Explore Smaller Electric Buses For India
Switch Mobility launched 2 electric buses in India this year - the EiV 12 and EiV 22 Double-Decker.
“As you know, Ashok Leyland has about close to 50 touch points outside the country and we will be leveraging all of them. Some of them (models) will go from India. We have UK and Spain facilities as you know. Left-hand drive vehicles will go from Spain for the developed markets. The right-hand drive will go from the UK manufacturing facility for the developed markets. For India-like growth markets, products will go from India to those countries,” he said.
Also read: Switch Mobility Reveals New EiV 22 Electric Double Decker In India
Switch Mobility, formerly known as Optare, already has an established production facility in the UK with the company having broken ground on a new plant in Spain. The Spanish facility is set to commence operations sometime next year.
Switch India which currently rolls out its electric buses from Ashok Leyland’s Ennore plant in Tamil Nadu though as per reports the firm is looking at developing a standalone manufacturing facility from where it would roll out its future line-up of electric buses and light commercial vehicles.
Also read: Switch Mobility Working On Road Map For Electrification Of CVs Up To 7.5 Tonne
The company is currently working on an electrification strategy for the LCV space with plans to offer electrification options for CVs of up to 7.5 tonnes in the future. The company has listed electric variants of the Ashok Leyland Dost on its website as part its LCV fleet though the models are yet to reach the market.
