Olectra puts 35 electric buses into service
The Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis, inaugurated the new fleet of electric buses in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on November 1, one day before the buses entered service. Evey Trans Private Limited, a subsidiary of MEIL, is responsible for operating the fleet. The company specializes in operating electric buses under Gross Cost Contract (GCC) agreements with state transport undertakings, and also handles their maintenance and the installation of charging stations.
The 35 electric buses are Olectra’s iX model, measuring 9.3 meters in length, 2.5 meters in width, and 3.3 meters in height, with a wheelbase of 4.6 meters. This mid-sized electric bus features a monocoque structure and two passenger access doors—one located ahead of the front axle and the other between the axles—with a capacity for 32 passengers.
Olectra offers the iX model in city bus, staff transport, and school bus configurations. This deployment utilizes the city bus version, which has a capacity for 32 passengers. For this model, the company employs a permanent-magnet synchronous motor that generates a peak power of 260 kW and a maximum torque of 750 Nm, paired with a 191 kWh LFP battery pack.
The Olectra iX fleet currently in service in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar features air suspension at both ends, air curtains at both passenger doors, USB charging ports, and digital destination displays with an integrated passenger announcement system. These buses are also equipped with a video surveillance system and vehicle tracking technology.
Electric buses form the core of Olectra’s business, although the company also offers an electric dump truck. The company has put more than 4,500 electric vehicles into service across over 55 cities, which have collectively covered more than 750 million kilometers. Its current order book stands at over 7,900 electric vehicles.
Commenting on the recent fleet deployment in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Mahesha Babu, the company’s Managing Director, stated: “India is making remarkable progress in its transition toward cleaner and more sustainable public transport. The introduction of 35 Olectra electric buses in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar represents a significant step forward in developing a clean, reliable, and efficient transport system, expanding access to this service for more people.”
