VE Commercial Vehicles Limited (VECV), a joint venture between Volvo Group and Eicher Motors, is gearing up to take part in upcoming government tenders for electric bus deployment, according to Suresh Chettiar, Executive Vice President of VECV’s Bus Division. Chettiar shared this during the PRAWAAS 4.0 event in Bengaluru, where the company showcased its range of public transportation solutions.
Currently, VECV has about 300 to 350 electric vehicles operating on Indian roads. “Our goal is to grow steadily to ensure we stay relevant in the markets we serve,” Chettiar said, emphasizing the company’s strategic and measured approach to expansion.
During the event, VECV displayed a variety of products, including the premium Volvo 9600 coach, the electric Eicher Skyline Pro-E 13.5m intercity coach, and the Eicher Skyline Pro 3010 school bus. Since its establishment in August 2008, VECV has built a diverse portfolio that includes Eicher-branded trucks and buses, Volvo Buses India, exclusive distribution of Volvo Trucks in India, engine manufacturing and exports for the Volvo Group, and non-automotive engines, along with its Eicher components business.
Chettiar highlighted the strong demand for buses in India, fueled by macroeconomic shifts and societal development. “Economic growth is transforming infrastructure, improving urban economic conditions, and enhancing quality of life,” he said, noting the industry’s recovery from the pandemic-induced downturn.
After an initial rebound post-COVID-19, the bus industry experienced a surge in replacement demand, soon followed by new growth. “We are witnessing unprecedented growth in the bus sector,” Chettiar remarked, adding that the industry has grown by 20% over the past year, echoing similar growth from the previous year. Demand is increasing across various segments, including school buses, staff transport, state transportation units, and tourism.
“We are now in a growth-oriented phase, and I expect this upward trend to continue for the next few years, with the industry resetting at higher levels,” Chettiar concluded, reflecting VECV’s positive outlook on sustained market expansion.
