EKA, the electric vehicle manufacturing arm of Pinnacle Industries, launched its debutante 9-metre low floor electric bus, the E9 on Saturday.
Measuring 2,500 mm in width, the bus has a seating capacity of 32, including the driver and wheelchair, which can be loaded onto the vehicle using the ramp. The bus can get down to the lowest 650 mm floor height with the kneeling feature.
Featuring a monocoque stainless steel chassis and complete composite structure, the bus is powered by an electric motor that churns out a maximum power of 200 KW and torque of 2,500 NM and negotiating 17% gradeability. Besides, it also gets an in-house designed vehicle control unit software with an integrated strategy for vehicle features.
Furthermore, the vehicle comes with Front and Rear Disc Brakes with EBS with a regenerative braking system, a CCS2 protocol fast charger, four cameras, an emergency stop button, and a fire extinguisher.
In addition, the bus comes with an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS), driver’s cockpit, auto-drive feature, power-assisted with tilting and telescopic steering, and all in one central console.
The bus was unveiled by Aaditya Thackeray, Minister of Tourism, Environment & Protocol, Government of Maharashtra, and Dr Sudhir Mehta, Chairman, EKA & Pinnacle Industries, at The Pune Alternate Fuel Conclave (AFC), a Government of Maharashtra initiative organised by Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) and Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), in association with Maratha Chamber of (MCCIA).
Dr Mehta noted that the electrification of commercial vehicles and public transport, especially the bus sector, is key to India’s decarbonisation strategy.
The company aims to design, manufacture, and supply a complete range of Electric Vehicles, Fuel Cell Electric vehicles, and alternative fuel vehicles.
The brand will also house components assembly and manufacturing, EV traction systems, EV energy storage systems, the company stated.