India-based Eka Mobility is developing a fast-charging technology for electric buses called “Flash charging” that could fully charge a bus in as little as 20 seconds, depending on battery capacity.

The company said this system could significantly reduce downtime and improve operational efficiency on routes with high passenger demand and frequent stops.

The buses will seat 130 passengers and are designed to enhance public transport in urban areas, especially in Tier I and Tier II cities.

They could also be used on key intercity routes such as Delhi-Chandigarh, Mumbai-Pune, and Chennai-Bengaluru.

The new line of electric buses is being developed in collaboration with Tata Motors.

The announcement comes after Eka Mobility secured 200 crore rupee (US$23.2 million) in funding from ENAM Holdings.

The company has an order book of 3,000 buses and plans to deliver 2,000 to 2,500 units by the end of the financial year, according to founder Sudhir Mehta.

🔗 Source: YourStory

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ India’s homegrown electric bus industry rapidly accelerating beyond manufacturing to technological innovation

EKA Mobility’s ultra-fast charging technology represents a significant technological leap in India’s electric bus sector, which has evolved from simply manufacturing vehicles to developing proprietary technologies.

The broader industry context shows this shift is happening across multiple Indian companies, with EKA joining established players like Tata Motors (targeting 3,500 electric buses by mid-2025) and Olectra Greentech (with over 1,000 buses already deployed) 1.

While traditional electric buses require hours for charging, EKA’s flash charging approach (20-120 seconds) could dramatically improve operational efficiency for transit agencies, allowing buses to charge quickly at stops rather than returning to depots.

This competitive landscape has spurred innovation, with companies like JBM Auto developing India’s first 100% electric, zero-emission buses, and PMI Electro Mobility achieving a 31.5% market share with their advanced electric fleet 1.

EKA’s ambition reflects broader industry growth, as the company plans to scale manufacturing to 10,000 electric buses annually by FY27, targeting both urban pollution reduction and intercity routes 2.

2️⃣ Economic advantages driving rapid electrification of Indian public transport