Ashok Leyland's electric vehicle arm, Switch Mobility, today (18 August) unveiled India's first and unique electric double-decker air-conditioned bus 'Switch EiV 22.'

Designed, developed and manufactured in India and utilising Switch's global electric bus experience, Switch EiV 22 is equipped with the latest technology, ultra-modern design, highest safety and best-in-class comfort features.

The Switch EiV 22 is a semi-low floor, air conditioned, electric double-decker with a wider door on the rear overhang and a rear staircase. It has a lightweight aluminium body construction, which offers a higher passenger-to-weight ratio and a competitive cost per km per passenger.

Also, it can ferry nearly twice the number of seated passengers as a comparable single-decker bus with just an 18 per cent increase in kerb weight.

Powering Switch EiV 22 is a 231 kWh capacity, 2-string, liquid-cooled, higher density NMC chemistry battery pack with a dual gun charging system.

This battery pack enables the electric double decker to have a range of up to 250 km for intra-city applications.

Switch India has already secured an order of 200 electric double-decker buses in Mumbai.

With contemporary styling and feel-good interiors and exteriors, the double-decker boasts wide front and rear doors, two staircases and an emergency door complying with the latest safety standards.

According to the company, the AC offers effective cooling in India's hot climatic conditions. Each seat has a lightweight cushion, and the interiors come with car-like comfort for passenger convenience.

"This state-of-the-art electric double decker serves as an ideal solution for urban commuting, as they occupy less road, terminal and depot floor space per seated passenger," Switch Mobility said.

"The renewed iconic double decker bus is designed to revolutionise public transportation in the country and will set new standards in the intra-city bus market," the company said.

"It's an extremely proud moment for us as we bring back the iconic double decker to India. Ashok Leyland was a pioneer among Indian manufacturers when it first launched the double decker in 1967 in Mumbai and Switch is carrying forward that legacy," Dheeraj Hinduja, Chairman, Switch Mobility, said.

"With our strong expertise in double deckers, both in India and UK and with over 100 Switch electric double deckers in service on UK roads, we are happy to not only bring back this icon to life and look forward to introducing newer Electric products for the Indian and European markets, always keeping the customers at the forefront," he added.