Keto Motors, an electric vehicle manufacturer focused on public mobility solutions, has received CMVR Type Approval certification from the Global Automotive Research Centre (GARC) for its 9-metre Urbanova KE9 electric bus. The approval represents an important step for the company as it prepares to expand its presence in India’s electric bus segment.
The certification confirms that the Urbanova KE9 meets the regulatory requirements outlined under the Central Motor Vehicle Rules (CMVR). These include standards related to structural strength, passenger safety, operational reliability, and energy efficiency. With the regulatory process completed, Keto Motors is moving ahead with customer demonstrations and preparations for commercial deployment across multiple mobility segments.
The company plans to introduce the electric bus to State Transport Undertakings (STUs), employee transport operators, school transportation fleets, and urban mobility providers that are transitioning from conventional diesel vehicles to electric platforms.
Keto Motors has developed the bus with support from its technology partner TRON, Taiwan’s largest electric bus manufacturer. The partnership provides access to advanced electric bus technologies including patented liquid-cooled battery systems, proprietary battery management systems (BMS), fleet management systems (FMS), and energy-efficient propulsion technology. These capabilities are intended to improve performance reliability and enhance operational efficiency in demanding Indian traffic and climate conditions.
Venkatesh Challa, Director of Keto Motors, said receiving CMVR Type Approval marks a major milestone for the company. According to him, the certification validates the engineering and safety standards of the Urbanova KE9 while enabling the company to begin deployments with public and private fleet operators seeking dependable electric mobility solutions.
The Urbanova KE9 has been designed for urban transit applications where reliability, passenger comfort, and operational efficiency are essential. Built on an urban-grade chassis suited for city bus operations and smart mobility networks, the bus offers a maximum range of up to 225 kilometres. It is powered by a 245 kW motor that produces 3000 Nm of torque, supporting strong performance even on steep gradients and in heavy traffic conditions.
The vehicle can accommodate 31 seated passengers and 11 standing passengers. It uses a liquid-cooled permanent magnet synchronous motor and offers a cruising range of approximately 188 kilometres under IDC conditions. The bus has a top speed of 80 km/h and can handle gradients of up to 20 percent.
Additional features include air suspension, anti-lock braking systems (ABS), regenerative braking, electro-hydraulic power steering, disc brakes, and CCS2 fast-charging capability. These systems are intended to improve vehicle control, increase operational uptime, and reduce running costs for fleet operators.
Production of the Urbanova KE9 is scheduled to begin in early FY26 at Keto Motors’ 20-acre integrated manufacturing facility in Jadcherla, Telangana. The facility includes advanced testing systems and in-house bus body manufacturing capabilities, enabling end-to-end production and strict quality control. In addition to the 9-metre platform, Keto Motors is also developing 12-metre and 6-metre electric bus models that will expand its offerings across different public transport and commercial fleet segments.
Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Hyderabad, Keto Motors develops electric mobility solutions designed for Indian operating conditions. The company’s products comply with ICAT and ARAI engineering standards and are supported by a nationwide service network aimed at supporting the growth of zero-emission transportation in India.
