New-Age EV Player EKA Mobility Strengthens Position in India’s Electric Bus Market

Key Highlights

• Over 3,000 electric buses are in the active public-sector order book.

• Major winner in the CESL 10,900 e-bus mega tender.

• Capacity set to reach 10,000 buses annually by 2026.

• ₹2,000+ crore investment planned across plants and technology.

• Strong global backing from Mitsui and VDL Groep.

EKA Mobility is steadily increasing its market share in India’s fast-growing electric bus segment, even as competition intensifies from established and legacy players. Founded in 2019, EKA appears to be a young EV brand, but it is backed by nearly three decades of industrial manufacturing experience through its parent company, Pinnacle Industries Group. This strong foundation places EKA in a unique position between start-ups and traditional incumbents.

Strong Presence in Mega Government Tenders

EKA Mobility has emerged as one of the largest bidders in major government-backed electric bus tenders. Under the CESL mega tender for 10,900 electric buses, the company secured allocations across key cities, including Ahmedabad (1,600 buses), Surat (1,600), Bengaluru (4,500), Delhi (2,800) and Hyderabad (2,000). In this large tender, EKA competed alongside established players such as PMI Electro and Olectra Greentech, highlighting its growing credibility in the sector.

Also Read: Electric Bus Market Turns a Corner as PMI Electro Dominates PM E-DRIVE Deal

Robust Order Book and Public-Sector Focus

The company currently holds an order book of over 3,000 electric buses from public-sector contracts, with a large portion already under execution across multiple cities and transport operators. EKA has secured 310 electric buses under the National e-Bus Programme and a separate 250-bus order from the Nagpur Municipal Corporation. It has also received a ₹150-crore contract from UPSRTC for the supply of 70 electric buses.

Earlier, in 2023, EKA received a letter of allotment for the procurement, operation and maintenance of 310 electric buses out of a total of 6,465 buses under a CESL-linked programme. These wins underline the company’s consistent participation and success in government-linked tenders.

Private Orders Add Stability to Growth

Along with public-sector contracts, EKA Mobility has also secured orders for around 500 electric coaches from private entities. Demand is coming from staff transportation services, school buses, institutional mobility, private stage-carriage operators and intercity transport applications. This mix of government and private demand helps reduce dependence on large, cyclical public tenders and supports more stable long-term growth.

Capacity Expansion Aligned With PM E-Drive

To meet rising demand and PM E-Drive commitments, EKA is rapidly expanding its manufacturing capacity. The company currently operates a dedicated electric bus plant in Pune with an installed capacity of 2,500 buses per year, which is being expanded to 5,000 units annually by next year.

In parallel, EKA is setting up its largest electric bus manufacturing facility in Pithampur, which will add another 5,000 buses of annual capacity. By the end of 2026, the company expects to reach a total installed capacity of 10,000 electric buses per year, backed by an investment plan exceeding ₹2,000 crore.

Global Partnerships and Capital Support

EKA’s expansion is supported by strong global partnerships. In June 2024, the company received its second tranche of ₹200 crore from Japan’s Mitsui as part of an ₹850-crore equity and technology partnership announced in December 2023 with Mitsui and Dutch bus manufacturer VDL Groep. The collaboration aims to create a globally competitive bus OEM with India as its manufacturing base.

Focus on In-House R&D and Talent

Unlike many EV players that rely heavily on outsourcing, EKA has built what it describes as India’s largest R&D centre dedicated exclusively to electric commercial vehicles. Nearly 1,000 engineers and designers are working on vehicle platforms, powertrain integration, software development and localisation. Across the group, the total workforce now exceeds 6,000 employees, providing strong operational depth to support its rapid scale-up.

With a growing order book, diversified demand, aggressive capacity expansion and strong global backing, EKA Mobility is positioning itself as a key force in India’s electric bus transition.

Also Read: India’s Medium and Heavy Commercial Vehicle Industry Enters Next Growth Cycle

CMV360 Says

EKA Mobility is fast emerging as a strong player in India’s electric bus market by combining large government orders, rising private demand, and rapid capacity expansion. Backed by global partners and deep manufacturing experience, the company is scaling operations to meet PM E-Drive targets. Its focus on in-house R&D, diversified demand, and aggressive investments positions EKA well for long-term leadership in electric public transport.