BlackBuck EV and Chalo Partner to Deploy Up to 300 Electric Buses Across India

BlackBuck EV and transport technology company Chalo have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deploy up to 300 premium electric buses across urban and intercity routes in India, bringing together electric vehicle manufacturing and digital mobility technology under a single partnership.

Under the proposed collaboration, BlackBuck EV will manufacture, supply, and maintain premium electric buses in 9-metre, 13.5-metre, and 15-metre configurations, while Chalo will deploy and operate the buses using its technology platform for passenger information, ticketing, fleet management, and route operations.

The partnership aims to improve premium public transport by combining BlackBuck EV’s electric bus platform with Chalo’s digital mobility ecosystem, which includes live bus tracking, digital ticketing, fare collection, passenger information systems, and real-time fleet monitoring.

According to Ramakrishnam Raju, CEO and Founder, BlackBuck EV, the collaboration combines BlackBuck EV’s proprietary electric bus engineering with Chalo’s operational expertise to create a scalable model for premium passenger mobility.

“We’re excited to partner with Chalo to advance electric bus travel in India. By combining Chalo’s digital expertise with BlackBuck EV’s purpose-built electric bus platform, we’re creating a smarter, more scalable model for premium passenger mobility.”

Ramakrishnam Raju, CEO & Founder, BlackBuck EV

The company’s electric bus portfolio includes the VIRO 2X, a 9-metre electric bus designed for urban operations, the ELON 2X, a 13.5-metre premium intercity electric coach, and the ELON 3X, a 15-metre multi-axle electric bus developed for long-distance luxury travel.

All three buses are built on BlackBuck EV’s proprietary skateboard chassis architecture with an aluminium-composite spaceframe, offering lightweight construction, connected diagnostics, real-time telematics, premium interiors, and long-range electric capability.

Mohit Dubey, CEO and Co-founder of Chalo, said the partnership brings together complementary strengths to create electric mobility solutions capable of serving millions of passengers while making public transport cleaner, smarter, and more accessible.

“Our goal is to redefine mobility with cleaner, smarter, and more accessible public transport. By combining our strengths, we’re building scalable electric mobility solutions that improve daily travel and create a lasting impact for communities.”

Mohit Dubey, CEO and Co-founder, Chalo

The collaboration will also leverage operational and vehicle data to improve preventive maintenance, fleet availability, route optimisation, and passenger experience.

According to the companies, the integration of connected electric buses with Chalo’s digital platform is intended to deliver a more predictable journey through features such as trip planning, live tracking, digital ticketing, and onboard connectivity.

The proposed deployment comes as demand for premium electric buses continues to grow in India, driven by increasing investments in sustainable public transport and the expansion of technology-enabled mobility services across urban and intercity markets.