Veera Vahana, a bus manufacturing firm, has partnered with Bengaluru-based energy tech company Exponent Energy to launch the Veera Mahasamrat EV. It’s the world’s first intercity electric bus capable of a 15-minute rapid charge. This 13.5-metre-long electric bus is the first of its kind to run on two axles and features Exponent’s powerful 320 kWh battery pack. With Exponent’s 1 MW rapid charging technology, the bus can achieve a full charge in just 15 minutes.
The Veera Mahasamrat EV promises a substantial reduction in operating costs—up to 30% less than traditional ICE buses. Equipped with a groundbreaking battery warranty of 600,000 km or 3,000 life cycles, the bus offers an extended lifespan and several financing options. This new approach aims to overcome the two major hurdles of electric buses: limited range and lengthy charging times.
The Veera Mahasamrat EV’s Battery Management System (BMS) monitors each cell's health, while the charging process is fine-tuned using specialized algorithms, the company said. The charging station also features an off-board thermal management system, which actively pumps coolant to the battery during charging to maintain optimal temperature. This allows the bus to perform reliably even in extreme temperatures, up to 50 degree celsius.
New electric route between Bengaluru and Hyderabad
Initially, Veera Vahana and Exponent Energy are focusing on electrifying the Bengaluru to Hyderabad route. To support the smooth transition from ICE buses to electric, Exponent will set up four 1 MW charging stations—two at each endpoint and two strategically placed along the highway. This will enable bus operators to maintain their existing schedules with minimal downtime, mimicking the typical stops made by diesel buses every 300 km for a 15-20 minute break.
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