Fresh Bus, a leading electric intercity bus operator in India, and Bengaluru-based energy tech firm Exponent Energy have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly deploy rapid-charging electric buses aimed at transforming long-distance travel across major highways. The collaboration heralds a new approach to electric mobility for intercity routes, tackling range and charging duration challenges with advanced electric charging solutions.
Partnership Overview and Deployment Plans
Under the agreement, Fresh Bus plans to deploy up to 250 electric buses that will be supported by Exponent Energy’s rapid-charging platform and up to 1.5 MW charging infrastructure. The first phase of operations is expected to begin on the Hyderabad–Bengaluru route, with intentions to expand to other intercity corridors in the near future.
The partnership is focused on enabling long-haul electric bus operations through en-route rapid charging, which allows buses to recharge in about 15 minutes every ~300 km. This significantly reduces reliance on large battery packs and improves fleet utilisation by enabling quicker turnaround times at charging stops. Such a system is designed to support routes extending beyond 1,000 km using multiple charging stops.
Addressing Operational Challenges with Rapid Charging
Fresh Bus executives noted that the partnership is intended to directly address long-held concerns about electric bus operations on long routes, such as extended charging durations and range limitations. Exponent Energy will supply the necessary charging hardware and technology, including battery packs, fast charging stations, and connectors tailored for high-power operations specifically developed in India.
Leadership Perspectives
Sudhakar Chirra, Founder and CEO of Fresh Bus, said, “This is a systems-level solution built for real-world intercity operations. Fast charging is inherently more efficient than simply adding oversized batteries. After two years of close collaboration and rigorous joint engineering with Exponent Energy, we’re ready to deploy at scale. We are not merely adopting EVs; we are co-designing a new paradigm for intercity travel that is faster, more reliable, and ultimately, more passenger-centric, directly addressing the myth that electric buses cannot reliably conquer India’s vast intercity network.”
Arun Vinayak, Founder & CEO of Exponent Energy, added, “Rapid charging truly unlocks the opportunity to replace diesel buses with Electric Vehicle‘s on long-haul routes. A 15-minute quick charge every 300 km during highway pitstops allows for diesel vehicle-like operations with all the benefits of EVs to the fleet operator, the passengers and the climate. We are proud to have developed the entire 1.5 MW charging capability and rapid charging technology in India and we are pleased to be working with Fresh Bus to co-design the ecosystem. Together, we’re putting India in pole position when it comes to long-haul electrification globally.”
Long-Term Vision
Fresh Bus has articulated a long-term objective to operate up to 10,000 electric buses, aiming to capture 10 percent of India’s intercity bus market. The current MoU with Exponent Energy is viewed as a key step toward achieving this larger goal, helping establish a reliable and scalable model for electrified intercity travel across India.
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