Hitachi ABB Power Grids signs MoU with Ashok Leyland and IIT Madras for e-mobility project

Chennai, India (Urban Transport News): Hitachi ABB Power Grids in India on 27th November 2020 has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ashok Leyland and the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM) for an e-mobility pilot. 

The triumvirate will run an electric bus (e-bus) pilot to support sustainable in-campus commuting by IITM’s students and staff. The e-bus, which will incorporate Hitachi ABB Power Grids’ innovative flash-charging technology – Grid-eMotionTM Flash, will be provided by India’s largest bus manufacturer, Ashok Leyland. IITM will host the infrastructure required to operate the flash-charging system for the e-bus.

"We need to have all hands on deck – industry, academia and policymakers to develop a strong and reliable local ecosystem to support the Indian electric vehicle (EV) revolution,” said N Venu, Managing Director, Hitachi ABB Power Grids in India.

“With sound policy levers in place, this partnership – engaging some of the finest industry and academic minds in India – creates a truly sustainable framework for e-mobility. We are delighted to be partnering with Ashok Leyland and IITM to provide a zero-emissions mass public transportation bus system through our award-winning technology, localized for the Indian market,” he continued.

Prof. Bhaskar Ramamurthi, Director, IIT Madras, said:

The development of India's e-mobility charging infrastructure and increased deployment of e-buses is key to meeting the demand for sustainable transport solutions across India's rural and urban areas. We hope to study and understand how the right technology can enable an efficient transport system without damaging the environment. We are delighted to have partnered with the best in the industry for this endeavor.

Smart e-mobility is at a nascent stage in India. While India’s government is striving to scale up EV adoption to 30 percent by 2030, the mass public transport segment is largely untouched. For bus operators, the switch to electric has previously presented challenges. That is because with battery-operated buses it is difficult to maximize passenger load carrying capacity and running time while making the whole operation economically viable. An e-bus with flash-charging technology can solve that problem while improving the quality of life by reducing pollution in densely populated urban areas.