First made in India electric bus showcased to Nitin Gadkari: Details explained

Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highways of India witnessed the EKA E9 for the first time in Pune on Friday. The EKA E9 is claimed to be the country’s first completely ‘Made-In-India’ 9- metre pure electric, zero-emission bus. The union minister praised the company’s efforts and innovation to transform commercial electric mobility in India during a meeting with Dr. Sudhir Mehta, Chairman, EKA & Pinnacle Industries Ltd. regarding their initiatives on electric vehicles.
EKA is a subsidiary of Pinnacle Industries, and the E9 is the company’s first battery-electric bus. The bus features a monocoque stainless steel chassis and complete composite structure, along with a streamlined vehicle design for maximised power and range. With a Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) lower than the current internal combustion engine-powered (ICE) buses plying on Indian roads, EKA E9 promises to deliver sustainability and profitability to all stakeholders.

The E9 electric bus gets both front and rear air suspension with ECAS. The bus is powered by an electric motor that generates maximum power of 200 KW (272 PS) and a 2500 Nm torque, and also gets a regenerative braking system. The bus has a low floor height of 650 mm making it accessible for the elderly, children, women and specially-abled passengers, along with a 2500 mm width, and can carry up to 31 passengers onboard. The electric bus also has a wheelchair ramp.
The company claims that the EKA E9 is equipped with a vehicle control unit software designed in-house, with an integrated strategy for vehicle features. Speaking at the E9’s launch last month, Sudhir Mehta said, “Our buses are designed and optimized to provide the best ride experience, cleaner environment, and best returns to the customers. With the new EKA E9, we offer a global platform for clean, efficient, and profitable public transport to meet the rising demand on important markets that are ready for the shift to electromobility.”