India’s Uttar Pradesh state has expanded its public transport network with the deployment of 45 electric buses and three hydrogen-powered buses, as authorities prepare transport links for the upcoming opening of Jewar International Airport.
The vehicles were officially introduced on June 12 alongside the inauguration of a new electric bus depot in Noida, marking another step in the state’s efforts to increase the use of low-emission public transportation.
New Fleet to Serve Airport Routes
The electric and hydrogen buses will provide transportation services connecting Noida, Greater Noida and Yamuna City with Jewar International Airport.
Speaking at the launch ceremony, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said the state intends to increase the fleet to 110 vehicles by the start of commercial operations at the airport on June 15, with longer-term plans to expand the network to 500 buses.
The initiative is aimed at establishing zero-emission transport links to the new airport while supporting broader clean mobility goals.
Switch Mobility Supplies Electric Bus Fleet
The initial batch of 45 electric buses was supplied by Switch Mobility.
Images from the launch event indicate that most of the vehicles are the company’s EiV12 intercity model, a 12-metre electric bus designed for longer-distance passenger transport.
The intercity version offers seating for 45 passengers and is equipped with air suspension systems at both the front and rear.
According to Switch Mobility, the EiV12 uses a 235 kW permanent magnet synchronous motor powered by a 423 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack. The bus supports dual-gun fast charging and can travel more than 300 kilometres on a single charge.
Double-Decker Electric Bus Included
The fleet also includes one unit of the EiV22, which Switch Mobility describes as India’s first electric double-decker bus.
The 10-metre vehicle accommodates up to 63 passengers and features a weveller suspension system at the front and air suspension at the rear.
The EiV22 is powered by a 235 kW permanent magnet synchronous motor and an NMC battery pack that provides a driving range of up to 250 kilometres.
Hydrogen Buses Join Pilot Programme
In addition to the battery-electric buses, Uttar Pradesh has introduced three hydrogen-powered buses into service.
According to local media reports, the vehicles were supplied through a programme led by state-owned power producer NTPC, which has been deploying hydrogen buses in pilot projects to evaluate their operational performance.
The hydrogen buses are configured as 42-seat coaches and can store up to 56 kilograms of hydrogen fuel.
Officials said the vehicles offer a driving range of approximately 750 kilometres, making them suitable for longer-distance transport operations.
State Pursues Cleaner Public Transport
The deployment reflects growing efforts by Indian states to electrify public transportation networks and explore alternative zero-emission technologies such as hydrogen fuel-cell mobility.
As airport operations begin at Jewar International Airport, Uttar Pradesh plans to continue expanding its clean transportation fleet, combining battery-electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles to support future mobility demand across the region.