2,325 BYD Electric Bus Chassis Ordered For Use In India

Indian electric bus manufacturer Olectra Greentech has ordered 2,325 electric bus chassis from BYD because it says the Blade battery from the Chinese company has earned a reputation for superior safety and performance, which are features of its electric bus fleet. The Blade battery has passed rigorous tests, including being penetrated by a nail, crushed, bent, heated in a furnace to 300°C (572°F), and overcharged by 260 percent without any fire or explosion. At India’s Auto Expo 2025 in January of this year, BYD said its collaboration with Olectra Greentech demonstrates its leadership and product strength in public transportation. At the end of January, transport operators were running 2,330 electric buses that used BYD’s chassis in 35 cities across India, giving the company a healthy market share of 24%.

Highlighting its success in India so far, BYD said that it entered the country’s electric bus market in November 2017 and has since seen its electric buses collectively cover more than 335 million kilometers. One of the electric buses has recorded 678,109 kilometers on its odometer, a record in India for BYD Blade battery-based electric buses. At the Auto Expo, Olectra announced it had placed an order for more than 2,000 electric bus chassis from BYD. The new order includes the K9, C9, and K7 models from BYD, and adds 50 units of the K7 chassis and 275 units of the newly restyled K9 chassis to a previous order of 750 units from August last year. These products reflect Olectra’s commitment to providing efficient and eco-friendly public transport options. State-owned public transport operators in states like Telangana and Kerala already operate electric buses that use the BYD 12-meter K9 and C9 chassis.

Asked for a comment at the Auto Show event, Zhang Jie, the deputy general manager of the Asia Pacific Automotive Sales Division of BYD said, “Over the past 10 years, BYD India’s commercial vehicle business has continued to grow and develop, which is a high degree of trust from the market and customers in BYD’s product quality, technological innovation and service capabilities.” Olectra Greentech said that the BYD Blade battery offers 30 percent more energy storage, giving electric buses a range of up to 500 km. It praised its space efficiency and safety as well. “With its cutting edge design and exceptional energy density, the Blade Battery promises not only longer ranges, but also the faster charging time, ultimately, enhancing the performance, safety, and reliability,” Olectra’s CFO  Sharat Chandra said during a recent earnings conference call.  With a lifespan of over 5,000 charge cycles, the BYD Blade battery is a durable and reliable choice for commercial electric vehicles.

Speaking at the launch event for the Blade battery platform, Olectra’s chairman and managing director K.V. Pradeep said, “Like every ambitious venture, we started small, but our dreams were never to settle. From our humble beginning with an order for just 6 electric buses to our latest milestone of 5,150 Electric buses, the growth has been nothing short of extraordinary. This journey has been fueled by a shared commitment to transforming emission-intensive transportation into a cleaner, more sustainable industry. The challenges are many, but we at Olectra are committed to taking them head-on with innovation, collaboration, and determination.

“The Blade battery is just the beginning. We are constantly exploring new ways to improve, innovate, and push the boundaries of what is possible in the electric mobility industry. Our focus continues on increasing our manufacturing and enhancing our technology capabilities. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all our business partners, vendors, and shareholders who have been with us on this incredible journey. It is your trust and collaboration that have enabled us to reach this stage, and together, we will continue to build a future that’s cleaner, greener, and more sustainable.”

An Emphasis On Comfort & Safety

Olectra’s buses are designed with advanced features to enhance passenger comfort and safety. These include fully digital instrument panels, Electronic Hydraulic Power Steering (EHPS), real-time Vehicle Tracking Systems, and Reverse Park Assist Systems (RPAS). For passengers, amenities like USB charging ports, roof-mounted air conditioning, and cantilever seats ensure a comfortable journey. In-wheel motors and advanced braking systems deliver a smooth and safe ride. Passenger safety and comfort are at the core of Olectra’s design philosophy. Features such as Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, GPS tracking, and CCTV cameras ensure robust safety measures. Air suspension and kneeling mechanisms offer smooth rides and easy boarding for everyone, including passengers with disabilities. Wheelchair ramps and inclusive designs make these buses accessible to all.

With over 2,200 electric vehicles operating across India at the end of September last year, Olectra has redefined public transport. While covering more than 330 million kilometers, it has reduced carbon dioxide emissions by over 2.7 million tons, the equivalent of planting 10 million trees, and showcased Olectra’s commitment to environmental conservation. By replacing diesel buses with electric ones, Olectra has saved about 100 million liters of diesel fuel, which has allowed the company to reduce it reliance on fossil fuels, cut operational costs, and significantly improve urban air quality while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and helping to moderate global warming.

One of Olectra’s greatest achievements was securing the world’s largest electric bus order — 5,150 buses from MSRTC, Maharashtra. Additionally, its electric industrial vehicles are revolutionizing industries like construction, roadwork, and mining by providing noise-free and pollution-free alternatives. Its buses are operational in 10 states and 1 union territory, offering eco-friendly travel solutions to millions of passengers. These buses are manufactured in Hyderabad, Telangana, at a state-of-the-art facility equipped with advanced technology and strict quality standards.

Olectra proclaims it is not just manufacturing electric buses, but driving meaningful change as well while reinforcing its commitment to sustainability and cutting edge technology with each fresh innovation. By setting new benchmarks in green mobility and continually pushing boundaries, Olectra is paving the way for a brighter tomorrow, one green kilometer at a time. Established in 2000, Olectra Greentech is a publicly traded company that is part of the MEIL Group. It pioneered the introduction of electric buses in India in 2015, and its products are in line with the Government of India’s clean transportation initiatives.