Chennai: Hinduja Group flagship Ashok Leyland today launched Circuit — the first 'Made in India' electric bus. The bus with minimum seating capacity of 35 to a maximum of 65 can run up to 120 kilometres on a single recharge under
standard test conditions, according to Ashok Leyland MD Vinod K Dasari.
"The initial investment made for this product is about Rs 22 crore from the overall Rs 500 crore. It will be done in phases," he told reporters after launching the bus here.
"The Circuit series of buses is another testament to Ashok Leyland's commitment to leverage India's technological innovation to relevant and best in class solutions for India and the world," he said.
The bus will cost between Rs 1.50 crore to Rs 3.50 crore, he said.
According to Ashok Leyland Senior VP Global Buses, T Venkataraman, the Circuit buses can be manufactured in all the seven manufacturing facilities owned by the company.
"These buses are right now manufactured in Alwar, Rajasthan and also in our Viralimalai facility (Tamil Nadu). But we have the capability to manufacture in all our seven plants," he said.
The bus can be used in hilly areas and heritage places, he said, adding that tendering process was going on between three to four state transport undertakings.
While 60 per cent of the total cost of the bus goes for the battery, the remaining is for other parts, he said. "Currently, the batteries are imported from the United
States," he said.
