Ashok Leyland to Make Electric-Hybrid Bus

In line with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Make in India’ campaign, Ashok Leyland said it will start manufacturing and marketing electric and hybrid buses in India from next year.

The company is looking to bring a range of vehicles from its UK arm Optare to India. It will be launching the Solo bus from Optare in its brand name in the Bus Expo in New Delhi early next year. Then, it will look at manufacturing electric and hybrid buses in India. Optare has been selling 100 electric buses a year in the UK. 

Vinod Dasari, Managing Director of Ashok Leyland, said, "The electric and hybrid bus cost a lot of money (Rs 2-3 crore), and can run up to 200 km. They do not make economic sense by themselves unless the State comes forward to support in the form of subsidies."

"Ashok Leyland has bus manufacturing facilities at Alwar and Tiruchi. The electric and hybrid buses would be made from these facilities," he said. "The company is also considering making these buses at its Middle East facility and is discussing with various State governments for the electric and hybrid vehicles and would also look to export these buses," he added.