Astranova and Zingbus power up electric bus push on key route

MUMBAI: Astranova Mobility has shifted its expansion plans into a higher gear, joining hands with Zingbus to roll out fully electric intercity buses on the busy Delhi to Dehradun route. The first batch is already on the road, giving travellers a quieter, cleaner journey while helping operators cut costs from day one.

Zingbus says passenger response on its electric routes has been strong, thanks to smoother rides, high uptime and lower per-kilometre costs than diesel. The company is now preparing for a larger electric leap as it works towards a 1,000-bus green fleet over the coming years.

For Astranova, the partnership marks a major milestone. The company becomes the only Indian EV financing platform offering end-to-end leasing solutions across everything from scooters and cars to chargers, trucks and now buses. Over the next year, it plans to deploy EV buses worth more than Rs 200 crore through operators such as Zingbus on selected high-traffic routes.

Astranova Mobility founder and CEO Kunal Mundra, said the move tackles one of India’s biggest transport challenges. “Intercity buses contribute a disproportionate share of emissions. Electrifying even a slice of these seats creates outsized climate gains. We have invested in the right engineering and data systems to support operators at scale, and we are delighted to expand this model with Zingbus across India.”

Zingbus CEO and co-founder Prashant Kumar said Astranova’s leasing model helps speed up the shift. “Our electric corridors already cost less per kilometre than diesel, and passengers are choosing the smoother, cleaner ride. This partnership strengthens our long-term, profitable EV strategy built on technology-driven mobility.”

The collaboration aims to break the three biggest hurdles for operators considering electric fleets: steep upfront costs, range and charging concerns, and worries around asset value. Astranova’s long-tenure leasing, OEM partnerships and buy-back and refurbishment programmes combine to make the switch far easier.

As India edges closer to its net-zero goals, large commercial vehicles remain a crucial frontier for electrification. The Delhi–Dehradun deployment signals a broader shift as intercity operators begin looking seriously at electric solutions for busy, high-frequency routes.