Just hours ago, Veera Vahana announced collaboration with Exponent Energy to introduce the ‘Veera Mahasamrat EV’. As the company claims, it’s a long-haul intercity electric bus with a 15-minute rapid charging capability. This partnership revolutionizes electric bus travel, offering fleet owners and operators a sustainable and efficient alternative to diesel buses.
The World’s First 13.5m Electric Bus on Two Axles
The Veera Mahasamrat EV, a collaboration between Exponent Energy and Veera Vahana, stands out as a revolutionary electric bus. It is the world’s first 13.5-meter electric bus on just two axles, showcasing a unique design. The bus has a 320 kWh battery pack, coupled with Exponent’s 1MW charging network, providing a virtually unlimited range. That means, drivers no longer have to worry about running out of power during long journeys. The bus’s 15-minute rapid charging minimizes downtime and boosts fleet efficiency.
In addition to its rapid charging feature, the Veera Mahasamrat EV comes with a robust battery warranty of 600,000 km or 3,000 battery life cycles. This comprehensive warranty offers fleet owners greater financial security and peace of mind, paving the way for more accessible financing options and making the switch to electric buses more appealing.
Fast Charging Electric Bus Benefits
The introduction of the Veera Mahasamrat EV brings significant cost benefits to fleet owners. According to the companies, operating expenses can be reduced by up to 30% compared to traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) buses. The rapid charging capability, combined with Exponent’s widespread charging network along highways, allows bus operators to transition to electric without concerns about range anxiety or extended charging times.
“For the first time, with 15-minute rapid charging and the Exponent charging network along highways, bus operators can now go electric on long-haul inter-city routes without having to worry about range and long charging times,” stated a company representative.
Electrifying the Bengaluru-Hyderabad Route: A Pilot Project
Veera Vahana and Exponent Energy are initially focusing on electrifying the Bengaluru-Hyderabad route as a pilot project. To support the operations, Exponent Energy will deploy four 1 MW charging stations—two at each endpoint and two along the highway. This strategic placement ensures that bus operators can maintain their usual schedules with the same number of stops.
K. Srinivas Reddy, Managing Director of Veera Vahana, highlighted that the partnership addressed the limitations of current electric buses, which are often confined to short distances due to range and charging time constraints. It’s difficult to package a single battery to deliver 600 km of range, and with long charging times, customers are not willing to wait for an hour along the highway. Typically, diesel buses stop every 300 km for 15-20 minutes, and our unique partnership with Exponent mimics the same experience. Now, bus operators can seamlessly switch to electric with the Veera Mahasamrat EV and save more in their operations!”
A Sustainable Future for Long-Haul Travel
Veera Vahana and Exponent Energy’s partnership signifies a major advancement in sustainable transport. The Veera Mahasamrat EV, with its rapid charging and robust battery, offers a practical solution for long-haul intercity travel. This innovation could reshape the future of electric buses, making them appealing for fleet operators globally. The success of this pilot project leads to wider adoption of electric buses, driving a shift towards greener public transport.
