Fresh off the launch and debut of India’s first all-electric Double Decker bus, Switch Mobility India is looking to expand its electric vehicle portfolio in the commercial load-carrying vehicle space. The company currently lists four models for the Indian market, the EiV 12 single-decker bus, the EiV 22 double-decker and two light commercial vehicles – the electrified versions of the Ashok Leyland Dost and Bada Dost - though both are yet to be launched.
Also read: Switch Mobility Reveals New EiV 22 Electric Double Decker In India
Speaking to carandbike, Mahesh Babu, Chief Executive Officer, Switch Mobility, said, “We are currently only working on these two models (The Dost and Bada Dost) for this year. But we are also working on a full-scale road map up to 7.5-tonne electrification because we believe that less than 7.5-tonne load carrying last mile, mid-mile delivery vehicles are going to play a vital role in electrification. So we are working out a portfolio of what we should do in this segment.”
Currently, parent firm Ashok Leyland’s light and small commercial vehicle space is filled by multiple variants of the Dost with payload capabilities ranging from 1,200 kg up to 1,800 kg. Also offered is the Partner light truck that sits just under the 7.5 tonne mark – all with either diesel or CNG powertrains.
Also read: Switch Mobility India Could Explore Smaller Electric Buses For India
As per Switch’s website the Dost and Bada Dost eLCVs are rated to carry 1,000kg and 1,500 kg respectively and offer a range of up to 150km. Both models will also support fast charging.
Electric mobility in the last mile space has particularly picked up in recent years in the two and three-wheeler spaces. Over the past few years, a number of companies have entered the electric vehicle space with offerings ranging from purpose-built load-carrying e-scooters, to electric three-wheelers for cargo and passenger carrying and EV conversion kits for LCVs.
