FlixBus and ETO roll out electric intercity coaches in India

What is clear is that the partnership also focuses on charging the electric buses. According to the press release, the goal is to install “advanced charging infrastructure specifically tailored for FlixBus’s operational routes.”

Eto Motors is an electric fleet operator in India. It describes itself as a specialist in eMobility solutions and services for the first and last mile and for commuters in urban areas. The company manufactures charging stations (“ETO Thunderbox”) and three-wheeled heavy-duty vans. Its other portfolio includes, among other things, the mobility solution ETO Fleet.

“This partnership enables us to offer end-to-end solutions to the Indian commuters from first mile, last mile and including the middle mile / intercity operations. We are accordingly developing the charging infrastructure across the country to not only support these operations but some of them would also be public thus aiding the EV adoption in India,” said Rajeev YSR, CEO of Thunder Plus and Group Chief Marketing Officer at ETO Group.

“Our partnership with ETO Motors is a critical milestone in aligning with India’s vision of reducing carbon emissions and promoting green mobility,” added Surya Khurana, Managing Director, FlixBus India. “Across the world, we are actively running numerous green and alternative fuel initiatives, and we are excited to bring the same commitment to sustainability to India.”

Bus operator FlixBus has been trialling electric coaches in Europe and the US for some time now. It is not clear what make or model the company will deploy in India, but it has to be known to use buses by Chinese manufacturer Yutong in Europe. In August 2024, for instance, it tested a  46-seat Yutong TCe12 electric coach for its first long-distance electric service in England and Wales.

Source: Information per e-mail