SWITCH Mobility Ltd, a global manufacturer in electric buses and light commercial vehicles and part of the Hinduja Group, and light commercial vehicles, and PURPLE BUS, one of India’s intercity mobility operators, today launched the region’s first electric bus service the new Nagpur–Chandrapur route, extending the operator’s intercity network further into Vidarbha. Thespecial occasion was marked by a flag-off of the first batch ofsix units of the 50 EiV12m intercity electric bus order for theVidarbha region deployments by Purple Bus, in the presenceof Hon’ble Minister of Road Transport & Highways,Government of India, Shri Nitin Gadkari.
The inauguration has been Umed to coincide with Dussehra,a day widely regarded as auspicious for new beginnings,reflecting SWITCH Mobility’s continued commitment to safe, reliable and sustainable public transport across theregion. The new route is expected to improve connectivity between the two cities, offering commuters a safe,comfortable and environment-friendly mode of travel.
This marks SWITCH Mobility’s third intercity deployment with Prasanna Purple Mobility Solutions this year, followingthe flag-off of electric coaches on the Mumbai–Pune & Dombivli-Pune routes in April 2026 and October 2026respectively, one of India’s busiest travel corridors. Thecontinued partnership reflects growing confidence amongoperators in electric buses for high-frequency intercity routes,and underlines SWITCH Mobility’s expanding role in powering India’s shift toward sustainable intercity travel.
On the launch of the new route, Mr. Ganesh Mani, Chief Executive Officer, 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.”
Mr. Saurabh Patwadhan, Director, 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.”
Strengthening Public Mobility in Vidarbha
The Nagpur–Chandrapur route adds to SWITCH Mobility’s growing partnership with Prasanna Purple Mobility Solutions and reinforces the company’s broader vision of enabling accessible, zero-emission public transport in India’s cities and towns. By connecting key centres within the Vidarbha region, the initiative is expected to ease daily commutes, support local economic activity and advance the shift toward cleaner intercity mobility.
The SWITCH EiV12m intercity coach combines performance, efficiency, and passenger comfort, and is purpose-built for long-distance travel. It features 45 pushback seats, a range of 350 km per charge, and fast-charging capability, enabling efficient operations for long-haul intercity journeys. With advanced safety systems, a quiet ride experience, and SWITCH iON connected technology for real-time monitoring, the coach is designed to deliver a reliable and comfortable intercity travel experience.
