Latest news with #EKAMobility
Time of India
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
EKA Mobility appoints Sanjay Kumar Bohra as Chief Commercial Officer
EKA Mobility, a leading electric vehicle and technology company, has appointed Sanjay Kumar Bohra as its Chief Commercial Officer (CCO). In his new role, Bohra will lead the financial and commercial strategy for EKA Mobility and its group companies, with a focus on driving growth, operational efficiency, and long-term value creation. His appointment comes at a crucial time as EKA accelerates its growth and strengthens its international footprint. Previous stints With over 37 years of experience in finance, banking, and business process services (BPS), Bohra brings deep expertise in financial strategy , global operations, and business transformation. He previously served as Group CFO at a major Indian automotive OEM, and has also held senior roles at Citigroup and Tata Consultancy Services, where he led global banking operations and commercial banking BPO functions. Welcoming Bohra to the team, Dr. Sudhir Mehta, Founder & Chairman of EKA Mobility and Pinnacle Industries, said, 'Sanjay's rich experience and leadership will be instrumental in propelling EKA's next phase of growth as we scale operations and expand globally.' Expressing his enthusiasm, Bohra stated, 'EKA's bold vision and sustainability-driven innovation resonate with my professional values. I am excited to contribute to its transformative journey.'
Mint
23-06-2025
- Automotive
- Mint
India's electric highway bus ambitions ride on 2-minute flash charging
New Delhi: The ministry of road transport is preparing to pilot a new generation of luxury electric buses capable of recharging in under two minutes, with the aim of transforming long-distance public transport. Developed by Tata Motors Ltd and EV startup EKA Mobility, the buses will operate at highway speeds of 100 to 120 km per hour on routes such as Delhi-Jaipur and Bangalore-Chennai, according to two people familiar with the matter. The buses, designed to seat up to 135 passengers in fully air-conditioned cabins, will incorporate 'flash charging" technology developed by companies including Siemens Ltd and Hitachi Ltd. The technology enables rapid battery top-ups, within as little as 20 to 120 seconds, at charging stations spaced roughly 20 to 40 km apart. Each quick charge would allow the bus to travel another 40 km before the next top-up. Read this | Domestic EV battery ambitions set for a steeper battle against global players in Trump's world 'The rolling stock of new buses has been developed by Tatas and EKA," said one person familiar with the plan. 'This would be tested in a pilot that we intend to start over next couple of months in Nagpur. The pilot's success would allow us to deploy these buses along major expressways… initially up to 300 km such as on Delhi-Jaipur, Delhi-Dehradun, Delhi-Chandigarh, Bangalore-Chennai, Mumbai-Nashik, Mumbai-Nagpur routes." Flash charging: High hopes and challenges EKA Mobility, a unit of Pinnacle Mobility Solutions Ltd, will manufacture the buses at its Pune facility. Rohit Srivastava, chief growth officer at EKA, said the company is developing 'an indigenous platform of electric buses with Ultra Fast opportunity charging technology popularly known as 'Flash' charging." 'This type of charging allows buses to get charged up within 20-120 seconds depending upon battery capacity. This eliminates longer duration time for battery top-ups and provides efficient, sustainable public transport," Srivastava said in an email. Read this | Why battery swapping for EVs remains a non-starter in India The buses will rely on an overhead pantograph system — similar to electric trains — that connects the charger unit to the bus each time it halts at a station, Srivastava said. 'EKA Bus is equipped with advanced Lithium ion battery technology suitable for pantograph charging." The EKA buses are expected to be 18 meters long, with total capacity for 130 passengers, Srivastava said. EKA Mobility declined to disclose the per-unit cost of the electric buses or the associated infrastructure. Industry research firm Mordor Intelligence estimates the global bus pantograph charger market at $3.47 billion currently, projecting it to grow to $10.43 billion by 2030. The pilot comes alongside India's broader electric mobility push. Under the PM E-Drive scheme, the government aims to put more than 14,000 electric buses on the road in select cities by FY26, with an outlay of ₹4,391 crore. The programme offers subsidies of ₹10,000 per kilowatt-hour of battery capacity, with total subsidies per bus ranging between ₹20 lakh and ₹35 lakh depending on vehicle size. The companies also declined to specify the exact battery chemistry used. According to information on Hitachi's website, the Japanese technology firm has previously deployed its pantograph-based 'Grid-eMotion® Flash" system in Geneva, Switzerland. Read this | Electric bus makers Tata Motors, PMI Elctro, JBM Auto set for a joyride as Delhi eyes full fleet electrification Siemens declined to share specific project details but said it was engaged with multiple stakeholders. 'Siemens is committed to supporting the Government of India in establishing world-class infrastructure aligned with its visionary goals of Viksit Bharat 2047 and achieving Net Zero by 2070," a Siemens spokesperson in response to Mint's email query. Email queries to Tata Motors Ltd, Hitachi India Ltd, and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways remained unanswered till press time. While several Indian cities already operate electric buses for intra-city routes, the government hopes this new intercity model will encourage more travellers to shift from private cars to public transport for regional trips. 'The plan is to make these buses not only a technological showcase but also ergonomically state-of the art with airplane-like seating, personal entertainment system and food service by uniformed bus crew," said the person cited earlier. 'The aim is to encourage people to take up public transport in a larger way." If the pilot succeeds, the buses are likely to operate under a public-private partnership model, the second person said. Experts say the pilot could mark a crucial step in India's push to decarbonize long-distance transport, provided the technology can scale. 'The move to develop intercity electric buses with flash charging is a meaningful step forward," said Nikhil Dhaka, vice president - public policy at consulting firm Primus Partners. 'Our analysis shows India needs to deploy close to 20,000 electric buses each year to stay on track for its 2030/2050 targets. If flash charging can top up a bus in 30 seconds, it could remove one of the biggest constraints in long-distance electric travel." India's broader electric mobility goals include cutting oil imports, improving urban air quality and reaching net zero emissions by 2070. Also read | Electric three-wheelers and e-rickshaws could soon be rated like cars. Here's why it matters 'Electrifying public transport is one of the most effective ways to cut air pollution, reduce oil dependence, and meet India's climate goals," Dhaka said. 'Buses are well-suited for electrification because they run fixed routes, carry many passengers, and operate daily." The government is also considering a plan to fully indigenize the technology for nationwide deployment, the second person added.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
EKA Mobility secures automotive PLI certificate for electric bus platform
EKA Mobility has been awarded the Automotive Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Certificate under the Advanced Automotive Technology (AAT) Vehicles category by the Automotive Research Association of India ( ARAI ). The certification confirms the company's adherence to the eligibility criteria outlined in the Ministry of Heavy Industries' PLI scheme, which aims to promote the development and manufacturing of electric vehicle platforms in India. ARAI, the designated testing and certification agency under the ministry, issued the certificate for EKA's electric bus platform, recognising its efforts toward indigenisation and alignment with national clean mobility goals. Sudhir Mehta , Founder and Chairman, EKA Mobility, said, 'Securing the Automotive PLI Certificate for the EKA bus platform reflects the evolving readiness of India's EV manufacturing ecosystem to deliver globally benchmarked, locally engineered mobility solutions. The certification affirms the significance of a vertically integrated approach where product development, supply chain localisation, and advanced technology converge to create commercially viable electric vehicles. As India accelerates its transition to sustainable transport, such recognitions help catalyse deeper industry-government collaboration and reinforce the potential of indigenous innovation to lead the shift.' Modular platform The certified electric bus platform is built with a modular structure, allowing configuration across multiple bus lengths based on operational needs. It incorporates a monocoque chassis and lightweight construction, aimed at optimising operational efficiency and cost. According to the company, the platform supports local value addition and is aligned with the objectives of the 'Make in India' initiative. It is developed to enable a low total cost of ownership (TCO), supporting broader EV adoption across commercial transport segments. EKA Mobility continues to focus on the localisation of EV technology and aims to contribute to India's transition towards cleaner transport systems through in-house development and supply chain integration.
The Print
14-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Print
EKA Mobility bags order to supply 750 e-buses in Andhra Pradesh
The large-scale deployment will see the rollout of both 9-meter and 12-meter fully electric buses across eleven cities — Amravati, Anantapur, Kadapa, Kakinada, Kurnool, Rajahmundry, Nellore, Guntur, Vijayawada, Vishakhapatnam, and Tirupati — in the state. The company has bagged a Letter of Award (LOA) and joined hands with GreenCell Mobility to execute the order. New Delhi, May 14 (PTI) Electric mobility firm EKA Mobility on Wednesday said it has received an order to deploy 750 electric buses across 11 cities in Andhra Pradesh. 'We are proud to partner with the Government of Andhra Pradesh and collaborate with GreenCell Mobility to deliver green, smart, and efficient transportation solutions for the people of the state. This partnership marks a significant step toward building smarter, more sustainable cities across India,' EKA Mobility & Pinnacle Industries Founder & Chairman Sudhir Mehta said. EKA Mobility said it had earlier bagged a Rs 150 crore order from the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) and around Rs 400 crore contract from the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC). PTI MSS MSS SHW This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
GreenCell Mobility wins order for over 1,200 electric buses under PM e-Bus Sewa scheme
GreenCell Mobility has secured a Letter of Award (LoA) for the supply and deployment of more than 1,200 electric buses under the PM e-Bus Sewa scheme. The order includes 472 Eicher electric buses for use across six cities in Madhya Pradesh and 750 buses to be supplied in partnership with EKA Mobility across 11 cities in Andhra Pradesh. In Madhya Pradesh, GreenCell will work alongside VE Commercial Vehicles (VECV) , while the Andhra Pradesh deployment will be carried out in collaboration with Pinnacle Mobility Solutions (EKA Mobility). GreenCell Mobility, backed by Eversource Capital, stated that it is also setting up the required charging infrastructure to support these operations. The company already operates 900 electric buses in Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. Industry collaboration and government support Devndra Chawla , MD & CEO, GreenCell Mobility, said, 'GreenCell Mobility is honoured to collaborate with the Governments of Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh to support the state's transition to sustainable public transport. These projects are a major milestone in our mission to transform mass mobility through zero-emission electric buses. Backed by strategic partnerships with leading OEMs and a robust financing model, we are committed to making clean, efficient public transportation accessible throughout India's growing cities—while delivering a safe, reliable, and superior guest experience.' Vinod Aggarwal , MD & CEO of VE Commercial Vehicles, added, 'We are delighted to take the next step with GreenCell Mobility by introducing Eicher electric buses in their operations under the PM E-Bus Sewa Scheme. These buses are built on reliable technology and have already clocked 1.4 crore kms across India. It is a matter of pride for us that these buses will operate in the state of Madhya Pradesh which has been home to Eicher Trucks and Buses for over four decades.' The PM e-Bus Sewa scheme aims to deploy 10,000 electric buses across India. In FY25, Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL) issued a tender for 4,588 buses under this scheme. The electric buses offered by GreenCell Mobility include features such as a driving range of over 250 kilometres per charge, fast charging, AI-based energy management, CCTV surveillance, real-time tracking, air suspension, low noise levels, and advanced safety systems, the company said.
