Ashok Leyland joined the electric vehicle race as it launched its first vehicle from the 'Circuit' range, an electric bus manufactured entirely in India.
The fully electric bus is a zero emission vehicle which has been made specifically for Indian roads and load conditions, the company said in a press release. The automaker claims that the bus can run 120 kilometers on a single charge. It also comes equipped with an integrated fire detection and suppression system, the release stated.
The automobile manufacturer's new offering augers well for the government who has been trying hard to reduce India's fuel import bill. The plan is to eventually convert 1.5 lakh state transport corporation buses from diesel to electric by 2020.
The vehicle has been launched ahead of the deadline announced by the company's Managing Director Vinod K. Dasari in 2015.
In April 2015, at FAME Delhi Workshop, we had committed to vehicles with full electric power trains by January 2017. I am happy to dedicate the first vehicle in this new Circuit series, ahead of schedule.Vinod K. Dasari, Managing Director, Ashok Leyland said in the press release.
Following the announcement, shares of Ashok Leyland jumped almost 2 percent to Rs 82.25 at 1:06 pm on the exchanges.
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