Purple Bus deploys Switch Mobility EiV12m electric coaches on Nagpur–Chandrapur route in India

Switch Mobility and Purple Bus have launched an electric intercity bus service between Nagpur and Chandrapur, India, with the first six Switch EiV12m electric coaches delivered as part of a 50-vehicle order for deployment in the Vidarbha region.

The new service was inaugurated on 20 October 2026 in the presence of India’s Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari. According to Switch Mobility, part of the Hinduja Group, the Nagpur–Chandrapur connection represents the first private electric intercity bus service in the region.

The initial deployment comprises six electric coaches supplied to Prasanna Purple Mobility Solutions, operating under the Purple Bus brand. The overall order covers 50 Switch EiV12m intercity electric buses intended for operations across Vidarbha, in the Indian state of Maharashtra.

The Nagpur–Chandrapur deployment follows the introduction of SWITCH Mobility electric intercity coaches on the Mumbai–Pune corridor in April 2026, operated by Prasanna Purple Mobility Solutions. The partnership was also part of Switch Mobility’s broader international and Indian deployment activities. In the urban bus segment, the manufacturer has been involved in a programme covering 840 electric buses for Delhi. These developments took place against the backdrop of India’s electric bus market performance in the first half of 2026, which included both urban fleet electrification programmes and intercity electric bus deployments.

Switch Mobility EiV12m: 350 km range for intercity operations

The vehicles deployed on the Nagpur–Chandrapur route are Switch EiV12m electric coaches, developed for intercity passenger transport.

According to Switch Mobility, the model is equipped with 45 reclining pushback seats and offers a stated driving range of 350 km per charge. The vehicle also supports fast charging, although the manufacturer has not specified the battery capacity, charging power or charging duration in the announcement.

The EiV12m incorporates safety systems and Switch iON connected vehicle technology, which provides real-time monitoring of vehicle operations.

The manufacturer identifies long-distance and high-frequency intercity services as applications for the model. The coaches are configured for passenger transport between cities, with seating arrangements intended for longer journeys.

The announcement does not specify the charging infrastructure installed for the Nagpur–Chandrapur service or the operational schedules planned for the new route.

Purple Bus expands electric intercity fleet with 50 Switch Mobility coaches

The deployment follows two previous electric intercity service launches involving SWITCH Mobility and Purple Bus during 2026.

The first took place in April on the Mumbai–Pune corridor, followed by a second deployment on the Dombivli–Pune route in October. The Nagpur–Chandrapur service extends the cooperation to the Vidarbha region.

According to Purple Bus, its electric intercity fleet has already accumulated more than one million kilometres of operation. The operator also reports that its operating data indicate lower total cost of ownership and lower cost per passenger-kilometre for electric coaches compared with diesel vehicles, although no comparative cost figures were provided.

The latest order comprises 50 Switch EiV12m electric coaches, of which six have been introduced in the initial batch. No delivery timetable has been disclosed for the remaining 44 vehicles.

The launch ceremony took place in Nagpur on 20 October, with the new service connecting the city to Chandrapur. SWITCH Mobility and Purple Bus identify the route as part of their ongoing electric intercity operations in Maharashtra.

In brief

• How many electric buses has Purple Bus ordered from Switch Mobility? The order covers 50 EiV12m electric coaches for the Vidarbha region, with six deployed in the initial batch.
• Which route has been launched? The new electric intercity service connects Nagpur and Chandrapur in Maharashtra, India.
• What are the specifications of the Switch EiV12m? The coach offers 45 pushback seats, a stated range of 350 km per charge and fast-charging capability.
• Where else are Switch electric coaches operating with Purple Bus? The partners launched services on the Mumbai–Pune and Dombivli–Pune routes earlier in 2026.

Switch Mobility and Purple Bus for intercity e-mobility in India

Ganesh Mani, Chief Executive Officer of SWITCH Mobility, said: “Nagpur and Chandrapur share a close economic and cultural relationship, and strengthening this corridor with our partner Prasanna Purple Mobility Solutions is an important step in our mission to build future-ready public transport across India. Following our deployment on the Mumbai – Pune route earlier this year, we are glad to extend this partnership to Vidarbha and to contribute to the region’s growth by supporting the everyday movement of the people who depend on it. This launch reaffirms our commitment to sustainable, people-first mobility solutions in Maharashtra and beyond.”

Saurabh Patwadhan, Director of Purple Bus, said: “At PURPLE BUS, our goal is to make electric the default way people travel between cities, not the exception. We are building that future route by route, from Mumbai–Pune, one of India’s busiest corridors, to Nagpur–Chandrapur, where we now bring Vidarbha its first electric bus service. Our fleet has already covered more than one million kilometres (10 lakh km) in electric intercity operations, and the data shows what many operators doubted: electric coaches deliver a lower total cost of ownership and a lower cost per passenger-kilometre than diesel. Our partnership with SWITCH Mobility has been central to proving that, and it gives us the confidence to scale sustainable intercity mobility across Maharashtra.”