EKA Mobility Expands Electric School Bus Portfolio With New 9M Launch at Prawaas 5.0

EKA Mobility has unveiled the new EKA 9M Electric School Bus at Prawaas 5.0 in Gandhinagar, adding a purpose-built 9-metre electric model to its passenger mobility portfolio. The bus combines a lightweight monocoque construction with LFP batteries, CCS2 fast charging and school-bus safety systems.

The new EKA 9M Electric School Bus has been developed specifically for student transportation. EKA says the vehicle can accommodate up to 43 passengers plus the driver and complies with AIS 052 school-bus standards.

The launch comes as electric bus mobility begins moving beyond city fleets and public transport into more specialised applications such as school and institutional transportation.

Lightweight Monocoque Platform

The EKA 9M is built on the company’s lightweight monocoque platform, using a high-strength steel structure. According to EKA, the architecture is intended to improve safety while also supporting ride comfort and operational efficiency.

EKA’s current product information lists the 9M with a 9,200 mm overall length, 2,500 mm width and 3,200 mm height, with a 12.5-tonne GVW and 4,800 mm wheelbase.

EKA 9M Electric School Bus: Key Specifications

*Launch coverage states up to 43 passengers plus the driver; EKA’s current portfolio page lists D+35 HB and D+33 PB configurations, including a handicap-friendly option.

180 Km Range and Two Battery Options

One of the key specifications of the new electric school bus is its battery flexibility.

EKA offers the model with 100 kWh and 200 kWh LFP battery options, while the company quotes a driving range of up to 180 km on a single charge.

Charging is handled through a CCS2 fast-charging system. Launch reports based on EKA’s information state that a full recharge can be completed in less than 1 hour and 45 minutes. EKA’s current product page, meanwhile, lists 80 kW and 240 kW charging options, with charging times of 2.5 hours and 1.5 hours respectively.

For school operators, the relevance of the package lies less in headline range and more in whether the vehicle can complete scheduled morning and afternoon routes within a predictable charging cycle.

Safety Takes Centre Stage

The EKA 9M is equipped with an Electronic Braking System (EBS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and air suspension. These systems are designed to improve vehicle stability and ride comfort during daily school operations.

EKA’s current product specification also lists ventilated disc brakes, ADAS, an emergency stop button and a liquid-cooled battery among the vehicle’s safety features.

The bus also gets a climate-controlled cabin, bacterial filtration, low NVH levels and wheelchair accommodation as part of the current EKA 9M specification.

A Purpose-Built School EV

The EKA 9M is an important addition to the company’s electric bus portfolio because it addresses a clearly defined operating environment rather than attempting to serve every passenger application with one platform.

At Prawaas 5.0, EKA also displayed its EKA Coach, 12M Low Entry Electric Bus, EKA 3S and EKA 6S, giving the company a broader presence across passenger and last-mile electric mobility.

With the 9M, EKA Mobility is now targeting the school transportation segment with a dedicated electric platform that combines AIS 052 compliance, up to 43-passenger capacity, LFP batteries, fast charging and active safety systems.

The bigger question for operators will be how these specifications translate into real-world school-route economics, charging schedules and total cost of ownership.