Eicher delivers 13.5m electric sleeper bus for intercity routes; 35 by March 2026

Eicher Trucks & Buses, a business unit of VE Commercial Vehicles Ltd. (VECV), on Thursday, announced to have delivered its first 13.5-metre electric intercity sleeper bus for commercial operations. The vehicle will run under the FirstBus service operated by LeafyBus.According to the company, the deployment marks the company’s entry into the long-distance electric sleeper coach segment. A total of 35 buses will be deployed by March 2026 on key intercity corridors in North India.

Planned routes include services between Delhi and Dehradun, and between Delhi and Lucknow, along with other high-demand corridors.
Suresh Chettiar, EVP, Bus Division at VE Commercial Vehicles Limited, said, “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 13.5m electric sleeper bus is designed for long-distance operations with a focus on passenger safety, comfort, and operational efficiency. It has a 36+D sleeper layout with a 2×1 upper and lower berth configuration for overnight journeys.

The bus is powered by a 400 kWh Lithium Iron Phosphate battery and a 235 kW permanent magnet motor. It offers a driving range of 320–330 km on a single charge. The vehicle supports fast charging in about 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on input power, to enable higher fleet utilisation.Safety and ride features include full air suspension with front and rear air suspension systems, disc brakes, hill assist, onboard cameras, advanced telematics, and energy-efficient systems.

Passenger amenities include 6 cubic metres of luggage space, USB charging ports, and a front berth reserved for senior citizens and specially-abled passengers.

The fleet is being leased through Enetra EV Private Limited, which provides EV-focused financing solutions to support large-scale deployment of electric commercial vehicles.

Rohan Dewan, Co-Founder of LeafyBus, said, “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.”

LeafyBus currently operates daily electric intercity services on the Delhi–Dehradun route and plans to expand across India. The company has secured $4.1 million in funding from Enetra India Pvt. Ltd. to support fleet expansion, charging infrastructure, and new route development.

VE Commercial Vehicles Limited is a joint venture between the Volvo Group and Eicher Motors Limited. It manufactures Eicher-branded trucks and buses and is the exclusive distributor of Volvo Trucks in India.

Enetra EV Private Limited is a leasing company focused on electric buses and electric trucks in the heavy- and medium-duty commercial vehicle segments. It works with fleet operators and manufacturers through long-term partnerships to support the shift to zero-emission transport.