First India-made electric double-decker bus launched in Mumbai

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Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari launched Ashok Leyland’s Electric Double Decker Bus named Switch EiV 22 in Mumbai today.</p>
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According to Ashok Leyland, Switch EiV 22 is the country’s first electric double decker air-conditioned bus, which has been designed, developed and manufactured in India.</p>
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The company informs that Switch EiV 22 is equipped with the latest technology, ultra-modern design, highest safety and best-in-class comfort features.</p>
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Launching the electric bus, Gadkari said, "We are trying to build a low carbon footprint and high passenger density integrated Electric Vehicle (EV) mobility ecosystem… the Government's vision and policies aim to encourage higher adoption of electric vehicles."</p>
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Sharing his vision for the Delhi-Mumbai Express Highway, the Minister said: “My plan is to connect Nariman Point to Delhi. 70% of work has already been completed.”</p>
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Asking the automobile companies to rise to the occasion, he added, “Let us plan luxury electric buses that can travel from Mumbai to Delhi in just 12 hours.”</p>
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Gadkari said that electricity as an automobile fuel is highly cost-effective, when compared to other fuels like diesel. “Import of crude oil is a big challenge for the Government. Use of solar power has reduced the cost of electricity to a large extent.”</p>
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Pitching for electricity as an alternative fuel, the Minister said 35% of pollution in the country is due to diesel and petrol.</p>
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“It is time for India to start using alternative fuels like electricity, ethanol, methanol, bio-diesel, bio-CNG, bio-LNG and green hydrogen for the automobile sector,” he pointed out.</p>