Keto Motors Enters Electric Bus Market with Urbanova KE9, Signs MoUs for Up to 250 Buses

Keto Motors has entered India’s electric bus market with the launch of the Urbanova KE9, a 9-metre electric bus developed for urban and institutional transportation. The company has also signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) that could lead to the deployment of up to 250 electric buses.

The launch marks the company’s entry into one of the country’s fastest-growing commercial vehicle segments and comes alongside a ₹300 crore manufacturing expansion in Telangana.

The Keto Motors Urbanova KE9 was unveiled during a launch event, where the company also ceremonially handed over its first commercial electric bus to its operating partner.

Designed for city and institutional operations, the bus accommodates up to 31 passengers and has been developed with a focus on operational efficiency, passenger comfort, and safety.

Keto Motors Urbanova KE9 Specifications

According to the company, the Urbanova KE9 offers a certified operating range of more than 150 km under fully loaded operating conditions and features a 900 mm floor height for convenient passenger boarding. Safety and drivability are enhanced through electro-hydraulic power steering, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), regenerative braking, and disc brakes.

Keto Motors’ Vision for Commercial Electric Mobility

The launch of the Urbanova KE9 also reflects Keto Motors’ broader vision of building an integrated commercial electric mobility ecosystem.

“The launch of the Urbanova KE9 marks the beginning of Keto Motors’ next phase of growth as we work towards building a comprehensive commercial mobility ecosystem for India. Our vision goes beyond vehicle manufacturing to integrating advanced engineering, connected technologies, charging infrastructure and digital fleet management into a single platform.”

Venkatesh Challa, Director, Keto Motors

The launch also complements Keto Motors’ long-term manufacturing plans in Telangana. In December 2025, the company signed an MoU with the Government of Telangana, committing an investment of approximately ₹300 crore to expand its existing 20-acre manufacturing facility at Jadcherla and establish a greenfield facility at the Telangana EV Mobility Valley.

Speaking at the launch, G. Kishan Reddy, Union Minister of Coal and Mines, said the Urbanova KE9 reflects India’s growing capabilities in indigenous electric vehicle manufacturing and supports the country’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat through sustainable public transport solutions.

For the Indian bus industry, the launch adds another domestic manufacturer to the country’s expanding electric bus ecosystem.

As demand for electric buses continues to grow across public transport, employee mobility, and institutional applications, new entrants such as Keto Motors are broadening the range of locally developed platforms while strengthening India’s manufacturing base for next-generation commercial vehicles.