Fresh Bus, one of India’s leading electric intercity bus operators, has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bengaluru-based energy-tech company Exponent Energy to roll out rapid-charging electric buses designed for long-distance travel on major national highways. The partnership aims to overcome traditional barriers in electric bus deployment, such as limited range and lengthy charging times, by integrating advanced high-power charging solutions into intercity operations.
Under the terms of the agreement, Fresh Bus plans to deploy up to 250 electric buses supported by Exponent Energy’s rapid-charging platform and up to 1.5 MW charging infrastructure. The first phase of operations is set to begin on the high-demand Hyderabad–Bengaluru corridor, with further expansion planned to other key intercity routes across India.
A key focus of the collaboration is enabling en-route rapid charging, where buses are able to recharge in approximately 15 minutes every ~300 km. This approach significantly reduces dependence on large, heavy battery packs that traditionally add cost and weight, and it enhances overall fleet utilisation by cutting down charging downtime during long journeys.
Fresh Bus executives emphasised that the partnership directly addresses real-world operational challenges that have historically constrained electric buses on long routes. Exponent Energy will supply the necessary charging technology, including high-power chargers, battery packs, and connectors developed specifically for rapid-charging performance, leveraging Indian innovation and engineering.
Both companies’ leadership highlighted the strategic importance of this initiative. Sudhakar Chirra, Founder & CEO of Fresh Bus, described the solution as a systems-level approach tailored for long-haul electric mobility, noting that rapid charging makes scalable and reliable intercity EV travel commercially viable. Arun Vinayak, Founder & CEO of Exponent Energy, added that this collaboration positions India at the forefront of long-distance EV bus electrification by enabling fast charging that mirrors diesel-bus operational patterns.
Looking ahead, Fresh Bus has articulated an ambitious vision to operate up to 10,000 electric buses and capture around 10 percent of India’s intercity bus market. Leaders from both companies see this partnership with Exponent Energy as a critical step toward building a scalable, sustainable, and passenger-friendly electric transportation ecosystem that can transform how millions of Indians travel between cities.
