Leafy Bus, India’s first operator of long-distance electric buses, has partnered with Eicher Trucks & Buses, a division of VE Commercial Vehicles Ltd. (VECV), to deploy 100 Skyline Pro E 13.5m electric intercity sleeper buses across major national routes, as part of its plan to accelerate clean mobility and reduce diesel dependency in long-haul travel. Beginning with 35 buses to be rolled out by March 31, 2026, the initiative will be enabled through an electric bus leasing programme by Enetra EV Private Limited, supporting LeafyBus’ route expansion including Delhi–Dehradun, Delhi–Lucknow, and several upcoming high-demand corridors over the next 18 months.
This partnership marks a major milestone in Volvo Group’s entry into the intercity electric bus segment in India through the Volvo–Eicher joint venture. To ensure seamless operations, teams from LeafyBus and Eicher are jointly working on route planning, charging infrastructure design, uptime solutions, and operational support enabling dependable and comfortable intercity EV travel for passengers.
Rohan Dewan, Co-Founder of LeafyBus, said, “India is at a turning point where long-distance mobility must transition beyond diesel, and partnerships like this will define that shift. Our collaboration with Eicher Trucks & Buses enables LeafyBus to scale electric sleeper buses on high-demand intercity corridors where passengers expect comfort, reliability and affordability together. The industry is moving toward cleaner mobility, but the real progress comes when EV travel is not experimental – it is consistent, commercially viable and widely accessible. With these new buses and our expanding charging ecosystem, we are accelerating the rollout of a national electric network that delivers a simple, comfortable and future-ready travel experience for millions.”
Designed for long-distance comfort and efficiency, the Skyline Pro E 13.5m electric sleeper bus features a 36+D layout with upper and lower berths, powered by a 400 kWh LFP battery and a 235 kW permanent magnet motor. Equipped with front and rear air suspension, advanced braking, and energy-efficient systems, the buses offer optimized range and safety for intercity operations.
Commenting on the partnership, Suresh Chettiar, EVP, Bus Division, VE Commercial Vehicles, said, “This partnership reflects Eicher Trucks and Buses’ ongoing efforts to advance sustainable public mobility solutions. We are extending electric mobility into the intercity segment and supporting the development of cleaner, more efficient passenger transportation along high-density corridors in environmentally sensitive regions. The Eicher 13.5m EV Sleeper Bus delivers environmental sustainability for the nation, low noise and smooth travel for passengers, and economic value for the operator. The partnership also reflects our alignment with the Government of India’s vision to decarbonize public transport – a significant contributor to India’s goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2070.”
Neeraj Gupta, Managing Director, Enetra EV, said, “The shift toward electric mobility in long-distance travel will require dependable operators, trusted OEMs, and financing models that support scale. LeafyBus has demonstrated strong execution in operations and route development, and we are proud to enable their next phase of growth with our EV leasing platform. This partnership represents a step toward a cleaner, scalable and commercially sustainable intercity travel ecosystem and we believe it sets the foundation for India’s transition to zero-emission highways.”
LeafyBus already operates daily long-distance electric services on the Delhi-Dehradun route and is rapidly expanding nationwide. With funding of USD 4.1 million from Enetra India Pvt. Ltd. being deployed toward fleet growth, charging infrastructure, and new route development, LeafyBus plans to introduce at least one new EV travel corridor every month as part of its national expansion strategy.
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