SWITCH Mobility Ltd, an electric bus and light commercial vehicle manufacturer under the Hinduja Group, has partnered with intercity mobility operator Purple Bus to launch an electric bus service on the Nagpur–Chandrapur route in Maharashtra. The deployment expands Purple Bus’s intercity network into the Vidarbha region and supports the adoption of electric mobility for intercity passenger transport.
The launch was marked by the flag-off of the first batch of six electric buses out of an order for 50 EiV12m intercity electric buses placed by Purple Bus for deployment across Vidarbha. The event took place in the presence of Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari.
The new service is expected to strengthen connectivity between Nagpur and Chandrapur while introducing electric buses to another intercity travel corridor in Maharashtra. The deployment also reflects the continued expansion of electric buses beyond urban public transport into longer-distance passenger services.
The Nagpur–Chandrapur launch marks SWITCH Mobility’s third intercity electric bus deployment with Prasanna Purple Mobility Solutions in 2026. The partnership previously introduced electric coaches on the Mumbai–Pune route in April 2026 and the Dombivli–Pune route in October 2026.
The Mumbai–Pune corridor is among India’s busiest travel routes, making the deployment part of the partners’ broader efforts to expand electric intercity mobility. With the latest launch in Vidarbha, the companies are extending their collaboration to serve passengers in another part of Maharashtra.
The deployment of the first six buses represents the initial phase of the 50-bus order for the region. Further deployment under the order would expand the presence of SWITCH Mobility’s electric intercity buses across the Vidarbha network.
Commenting on the launch, Ganesh Mani, Chief Executive Officer of SWITCH Mobility, said the company was pleased to extend its partnership with Purple Bus to Vidarbha following the earlier deployment on the Mumbai–Pune route.
He highlighted the company’s intention to support regional growth by providing mobility solutions for people who rely on everyday passenger transport. He also said the launch reaffirmed SWITCH Mobility’s commitment to sustainable, people-focused mobility solutions in Maharashtra and other markets.
The expansion comes as electric mobility gains attention across passenger transport, including intercity travel. Electric buses can help reduce reliance on conventional fuels, while their overall environmental benefits depend on factors such as the electricity source and vehicle operations.
Through its partnership with Purple Bus, SWITCH Mobility is extending its intercity electric bus deployments to additional routes in Maharashtra. The Nagpur–Chandrapur service adds to the companies’ existing deployments and forms part of the 50-bus order planned for the Vidarbha region.
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