SWITCH Mobility and Purple Bus Launch First Electric Intercity Service in Vidarbha

Key highlights

• First private electric intercity bus service launched in Vidarbha.

• Six buses deployed from a 50-coach order.

• Nagpur-Chandrapur route connects two important regional centres.

• SWITCH EiV12m offers 45 pushback seats and a claimed 350-km range.

• Purple Bus reports over 10 lakh km of electric intercity operations.

SWITCH Mobility and Purple Bus have launched the first private electric intercity bus service in Maharashtra’s Vidarbha region on the Nagpur-Chandrapur route. The launch marks another step towards expanding cleaner public transport and improving connectivity between important cities in the region.

The companies flagged off the first six electric coaches from an order of 50 SWITCH EiV12m intercity electric buses placed by Purple Bus for operations across Vidarbha. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Government of India, Nitin Gadkari, attended the launch event.

The service was launched on Dussehra, an occasion widely considered auspicious for new beginnings. Through this initiative, the two companies aim to provide passengers with a comfortable, convenient and more environmentally friendly travel option while supporting the region’s growing transportation needs.

Nagpur-Chandrapur Electric Bus Service to Improve Connectivity

The new electric bus service will provide passengers with another option for travelling between Nagpur and Chandrapur. The route serves people travelling for work, education, business and other daily requirements, making reliable intercity transport important for the region.

Improved connectivity between the two cities is also expected to support local economic activities by making travel more convenient for passengers. With the introduction of electric coaches, the companies aim to combine regional connectivity with cleaner transportation.

Electric buses do not produce tailpipe emissions while driving, helping reduce pollution along the routes they serve. They also generally offer quieter journeys than conventional diesel-powered buses, potentially improving the overall passenger experience.

The launch further strengthens the partnership between SWITCH Mobility and Prasanna Purple Mobility Solutions, the company associated with Purple Bus operations, as both businesses work towards expanding electric mobility across Maharashtra.

Third Electric Intercity Deployment by SWITCH Mobility and Purple Bus in 2026

The Nagpur-Chandrapur service is the third intercity electric bus deployment by SWITCH Mobility and Prasanna Purple Mobility Solutions in 2026.

The partners first introduced electric coaches on the Mumbai-Pune route in April 2026, followed by the Dombivli-Pune corridor in October. The latest deployment extends their collaboration into Vidarbha, taking their electric intercity operations to another important travel corridor in Maharashtra.

The companies plan to use their experience across these routes to expand electric bus services and demonstrate their suitability for intercity passenger transportation.

SWITCH EiV12m Electric Coach: Range, Seating and Features

The SWITCH EiV12m intercity electric coach has been designed to meet the requirements of long-distance passenger travel. Its main features include:

• 45 pushback seats: Designed to provide passengers with a comfortable seating experience during intercity journeys.

• Range of up to 350 km per charge: Supports longer journeys between charging stops, depending on operating conditions.

• Fast-charging capability: Helps operators manage charging schedules and plan vehicle deployment more efficiently.

• Advanced safety systems: Designed to support safer passenger transportation.

• SWITCH iON connected technology: Enables real-time monitoring of vehicle performance and other operational information.

• Quieter operation: Electric propulsion helps deliver a quieter ride compared with many conventional diesel-powered buses.

These features are intended to help operators deliver comfortable and dependable services while managing the requirements of long-distance electric bus operations.

The 350-km claimed range and fast-charging capability are particularly relevant for intercity routes, where vehicle utilisation, charging time and schedule reliability can influence service planning.

SWITCH Mobility Focuses on Sustainable Public Transport

Ganesh Mani, Chief Executive Officer of SWITCH Mobility, highlighted the importance of improving transport connections between Nagpur and Chandrapur.

He said, “Nagpur and Chandrapur share a close economic and cultural relationship and strengthening this corridor with our partner Prasanna Purple Mobility Solutions is an important step in our mission to build future ready public transport across India.”

He added that the company was pleased to extend its partnership to Vidarbha following the deployment on the Mumbai-Pune route earlier in the year. According to Mani, the new service supports regional growth by meeting the everyday travel needs of people and reinforces SWITCH Mobility’s commitment to sustainable, people-first mobility solutions in Maharashtra and beyond.

The company aims to expand the availability of electric public transport beyond major urban centres and bring cleaner mobility options to more cities and towns.

Purple Bus Plans to Expand Electric Intercity Operations

Purple Bus aims to make electric buses a common choice for intercity travel rather than an exception. The company plans to build its electric mobility network route by route, using its operating experience to assess the performance and commercial viability of electric coaches.

Saurabh Patwadhan, Director of Purple Bus, said the company was extending its electric operations from the Mumbai-Pune corridor, one of India's busiest routes, to Nagpur-Chandrapur, bringing Vidarbha its first electric bus service.

He also highlighted the company's experience with electric intercity operations, stating that its fleet had already covered more than one million kilometres, or 10 lakh km.

According to Patwadhan, the operating data indicates that electric coaches can deliver a lower total cost of ownership and lower cost per passenger kilometre than diesel buses. He credited the partnership with SWITCH Mobility for helping demonstrate the commercial potential of electric intercity transportation and said this experience gives Purple Bus confidence to expand sustainable mobility across Maharashtra.

Actual operating costs can vary depending on electricity tariffs, charging infrastructure, maintenance requirements, vehicle utilisation and other operating conditions.

Electric Mobility Gains Ground in Maharashtra

The Nagpur-Chandrapur deployment reflects the growing effort to expand electric passenger transportation beyond established urban routes. By combining SWITCH Mobility's electric coaches with Purple Bus's intercity operating experience, the partnership aims to make cleaner travel accessible to more passengers.

The initial six buses are the first step towards the planned 50-coach deployment across Vidarbha. As the remaining buses are introduced, the network could provide additional opportunities to expand electric intercity services across the region.

The initiative also highlights the importance of vehicle range, charging facilities, passenger comfort and operating economics in determining the long-term success of electric buses on intercity routes.

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CMV360 Says

SWITCH Mobility and Purple Bus have taken another step towards cleaner intercity transportation with the launch of six EiV12m electric coaches on the Nagpur-Chandrapur route. The deployment is the first phase of a 50-bus order for Vidarbha and follows earlier services on the Mumbai-Pune and Dombivli-Pune corridors. With 45 pushback seats, a claimed range of 350 km and fast-charging capability, the coaches aim to improve passenger travel while supporting sustainable regional connectivity across Maharashtra.