Switch Mobility aspires to become a global player in e-mobility, says CEO

Switch Mobility Ltd.’s aspiration to become a global player in the e-mobility space is taking shape with the maiden launch of a low floor electric bus in the European market, said CEO Mahesh Babu.

The Ashok Leyland subsidiary is also eyeing West Asian, African and South East Asian countries as the growth in these markets in the next 10 years is forecast to be faster compared with that of the U.S. and China.

The first two Switch E1 low-floor buses were delivered to the City Council of Benidormin, Spain, after a virtual launch by Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi recently.

“E1 is a unique product designed with monocoque design and is two tonnes lighter than its competitors. Switch Mobility’s aspiration of achieving global participation, particularly in developed markets such as Europe, will be addressed upon entering those markets,” Mr. Babu told The Hindu.

“Our focus will be outside of India. We are getting a left-hand drive of e-bus EiV12 and right-hand drive in E1. We aspire to be global,” he said.

According to him, these buses are currently being produced in Sherburn, Leeds, U.K. Switch also has a facility in Spain and a manufacturing facility in Ras Al-Khaimah, GCC.

“Currently, E1 is produced at Leeds. The U.K. facility can produce 200 buses per annum. Once the order in Europe crosses 120 buses, we will activate the Spain unit. Till such time orders will be served from the U.K. facility. It will lead to better utilisation capacity and capital expenditure,” Mr. Babu said.

“In GCC, we have a facility in Ras Al-Khaimah. We are planning to do a summer trial in the coming months with both the products. By the year end, we will launch it. Again if the volume goes up, we will activate the Ras Al-Khaimah facility. Till such time, this market will be served by the U.K. and India facilities,” he said.

On the order book position, he said that tenders for 800 buses were in the pipeline and were expected to be floated in 2025. “Switch will be participating in it,” he added.

Mr. Babu said that the company would not be entering the U.S. and China markets “as it required a lot of concentration, investment and commitment.” “EV adoption of commercial vehicles and buses is lower in U.S. and China. That’s why we are not focusing on them,” he added.