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Ashok Leyland will start manufacturing the Optare range of electric buses in India sometime next year, according to its managing director Vinod K Dasari.
The Hinduja Group company holds a majority stake in Optare Plc, UK, which manufactures the battery-powered buses. Ashok Leyland hopes to tap the emerging market for electric vehicles globally.
It will start making the Optare range of electric and hybrid buses – Solo and Versa -- in India at Ashok Leyland’s plants in Alwar and Tiruchi. Ashok Leyland is also considering making the range in West Asia, Dasari said.
Most of the components including the batteries will have to be imported into India investments will primarily go into tooling, he said. These electric buses can cost upwards of ₹ 3 crore.
Optare is among the world leaders in battery powered vehicles and light weight, fuel efficient buses.
Addressing media persons on the occasion of the visit of a UK delegation of automobile company representatives led by Vince Cable, UK Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, he said Optare had benefitted from the support of the UK government green fund.
India too has a National Electric Mobility Programme and public transportation will be a target market for the electric vehicles. The Optare will be showcased at the bus expo in January next year in India, he said.
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