JBM Auto to launch its first electric bus at 2018 Auto Expo

JBM Auto had announced their joint venture with European bus manufacturer, Solaris Bus and Coach S.A. back in July 2016. Now, Nishant Arya, Executive Director, JBM Group has told the media that the company is planning to launch the EcoLife electric bus in India at the 2018 Auto Expo.

The EcoLife electric bus will available in 12-metre and 9-metre variants with a seating capacity of 30-40 people depending on the variant. The electric buses will cost around Rs. 2.5-3 crore each. 

The buses have been designed, engineered and manufactured at the company’s manufacturing facility in Kosi, Uttar Pradesh using technologies shared by Solaris as part of the joint venture. The company also has plans to export the electric buses to other right-hand drive markets in the Commonwealth.

The lithium-ion batteries for the bus are manufactured overseas using designs developed in-house at JBM Auto. Meanwhile, the bus bodies are being built at company's Ballabhgarh plant near Delhi. According to the company, ARAI is currently testing the buses and homologation is expected to be completed by the time of launch.

The company has recently entered the bus segment with their CityLife diesel and CNG buses. The Noida Metro Rail Company has 105 of those buses operational currently. 

Source: Economic Times