Switch Mobility’s New EiV-28 Electric Double-Decker Enters Chennai Roads

1. Outlook

Something bigger, quieter, and decidedly futuristic is being launched into the market. It's new and it's a true revolution.  Say hello to the Switch EiV-28, the newest electric double-decker bus that's just made its debut in the city. Designed for scale, comfort, and sustainability, this latest offering by Switch Mobility doesn't just aim to modernise public transport, but also redefine how India travels, both within cities and between them.

With this rollout, Chennai becomes the first Indian city to host the EiV-28 in active service. But this isn't just a city commuter. The EiV-28 comes with ambitions that stretch far beyond metro routes. It's being tested for intercity bus travel and sleeper bus operations — a first for any double-decker EV in the country.

2. A New Chapter for Chennai's Commute

Most of us think of double-deckers as nostalgic city icons — London-style buses weaving through traffic. But Switch is flipping that script. The EiV-28 is larger than its sibling, the EiV-22, and comes with the flexibility to serve urban corridors during the day and long-haul routes at night. That's not just smart engineering — it's smart economics.

This launch also fits right into Tamil Nadu's wider EV vision. The state's 2023 EV policy has made it clear: public transport is going green, and fast. The EiV-28's debut is both a symbol and a strategy — a signal that the state's serious about scaling clean mobility without compromising capacity.

3. Let's Talk Specs — Because They Matter

Here's what sets the EiV-28 apart:

• Passenger Capacity: Up to 94 seats, or 64 sleeper berths when reconfigured.
• Driving Range: Up to 350 km on a full charge — enough to cover many short and medium-haul routes without breaking a sweat.
• Battery Tech: Liquid-cooled lithium-ion NMC packs — optimised for Indian weather and road conditions.
• Charging Time: Fast charging enabled (CCS2), with full charge possible in under 2 hours.
• Other Features: Real-time tracking, regenerative braking, infotainment systems, climate control, and cloud-based diagnostics.

What's compelling is that Switch is already testing sleeper bus versions of this model. Think Chennai-Bengaluru, Madurai, Puducherry — routes where comfort matters just as much as speed.

4. So, Is This the Future of Intercity Travel?

It just might be. India's intercity bus market has long been dominated by diesel giants like Volvo and Ashok Leyland. Those buses are powerful, yes, but they can also be noisy, polluting, and increasingly expensive to run.

The EiV-28 offers a cleaner alternative without skimping on comfort. In sleeper bus mode, it's equipped with privacy pods, reading lights, USB chargers, and full-recline berths. You get the luxury of a premium coach, minus the rumble and emissions.

Plus, let's not forget the operational math. Between government subsidies, lower energy costs, and reduced maintenance, EV operators are already seeing 20–30% lower total cost of ownership over five years compared to their diesel counterparts.

5. Chennai's Test Routes & What Comes Next

Right now, the EiV-28 is being piloted on some of the city's busiest routes:

• Mount Road to Tambaram (daily urban shuttle)
• Koyambedu to Mahabalipuram (suburban + tourist traffic)
• Chennai Central to Vellore (early intercity trial)

If the Vellore trial goes well — and all signs point that way — Switch plans to introduce the first full-fledged electric bus version on the Chennai-Bengaluru route by late 2025. That would be a big deal: the first all-electric double-decker sleeper coach service in the country.

At the flag-off, Tamil Nadu's Transport Minister shared his insight: "This isn't just a bus. It's a platform for scalable, sustainable travel. The EiV-28 is built for the future — and the future is now."

6. The Big Question: What's the Bus Price in India?

Electric buses can be expensive to manufacture due to their always evolving nature and cutting-edge tech. But the EiV-28 is priced to compete. While there's no official price-stage yet, insiders speculate the bus price in India between INR 1.6 and 2 crore, depending on configuration.

That might sound steep until you consider that diesel luxury coaches already cost up to INR 2.2 crore, and don't come with long-term savings or environmental wins. Plus, with FAME-II incentives and state-level subsidies, the effective price could drop by up to 25%.

Private players like VRL, Parveen, and KPN are reportedly already in talks. If they bite, it could be the tipping point for EV adoption in the intercity bus market.

7. One Bus, Many Roles

The EiV-28 is more than a passenger mover — it's a shape-shifter. A city commuter by morning, a sleeper bus by night, and a marketing tool for cleaner cities all day long.

This kind of modular flexibility could be a game-changer for smaller fleet operators. Instead of investing in separate vehicles for city and long-haul routes, they can toggle formats based on demand. That's efficiency, scaled.

And in congested cities like Chennai, the double-decker design means more people are moved per square foot. It's a subtle but powerful fix to the urban space crunch.

8. The Ethical Edge: Why EVs Like the EiV-28 Matter Beyond Economics

In places where traffic never really pauses and people spend hours waiting by the roadside, what comes out of a tailpipe matters more than most realise. Diesel smoke doesn't stay in the air — it settles on skin, seeps into lungs, and hangs around long after the engine's off. And it tends to settle where people can't always afford to avoid it. Electric buses offer a cleaner and fresher to available old and mainstream transport, they are helping not only the environmentbut also the generations to come by offering sustainability. Cleaner transport isn't just a climate story. It's about making daily life a bit fairer, a bit easier to breathe.

9. Final Stop: A Bus Worth Waiting For

What Switch Mobility has launched isn't just a product — it's a signal. A hint at how India might finally break the diesel cycle without breaking the bank.

The EiV-28 isn't perfect — charging infrastructure still needs work, and adoption will take time. But if things go according to plan, this could be the intercity bus blueprint India has been waiting for.

Quiet, clean, and capacious, it's a step forward in every sense. And for passengers, operators, and cities alike, it's worth keeping an eye on.

Because this isn't just another bus launch.

It's a new way to move.