The electric bus industry in India is evolving rapidly, with operators increasingly looking for vehicles that combine reliability, passenger comfort, operational efficiency and lower lifecycle costs. Against this backdrop, Neuton Auto, an electric bus OEM registered as a startup under DPIIT, is strengthening its presence with a focus on technology, localisation and long-term vehicle performance. In a conversation with Bus Coach India, Arathi K. Parigi, Managing Director and Co-founder, Neuton Auto, discusses the company’s growth journey, manufacturing capabilities and plans for expanding its electric bus portfolio. With an annual production capacity of 1,200 buses and certifications across Type 1, Type 2, Type 3 and Type 4 vehicles, the company is preparing to participate in the PM-eBus Sewa programme and expand its presence in the public transportation segment. Neuton Auto is currently deploying its buses in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra, while also developing a 12-metre electric bus for longer-distance intercity operations. The company’s R&D focus extends beyond electrification, with emphasis on superior ride quality, onboard diagnostics, predictive maintenance, tyre monitoring and longer vehicle life.
Q: How do you see Neuton Auto’s growth and progress over the coming years?
Arathi K. Parigi: Neuton Auto is an electric bus OEM registered as a startup under DPIIT. We have already started deploying our buses in multiple cities, and our focus is on building electric buses that offer superior ride quality and long-term reliability. Our current nine-metre bus is designed for city operations, intercity applications and staff mobility. Because of its superior ride quality, we believe it has strong potential in the staff mobility segment as well.
Q: What is your current manufacturing capacity, and are you planning to supply buses to state transport undertakings?
Arathi K. Parigi: Our existing plant has an annual production capacity of 1,200 buses. We have recently received certifications for Type 1, Type 2, Type 3 and Type 4 vehicles, which qualifies us to participate in the PM-eBus Sewa programme. We are very excited about the opportunity to work with state transport undertakings, and announcements regarding those deployments will be made soon. At present, our buses have been supplied to private operators.
Q: Which markets have you entered so far?
Arathi K. Parigi: We have only recently started our deployments, so it is still early days. Our buses are currently operating in Dakshina Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.
Q: What is Neuton Auto’s approach to batteries and localisation?
Arathi K. Parigi: Our supply chain is fully established within India. The battery packs are assembled in Maharashtra, while Tier-1 suppliers provide key components. We have worked towards creating a robust domestic supply chain for our electric buses.
Q: What are the key areas of your research and development efforts?
Arathi K. Parigi: One of our biggest areas of focus is superior ride quality. We have incorporated several design features that reduce wear and tear on the vehicle, which ultimately helps extend the life of the bus. A smoother ride also improves comfort for both passengers and drivers. In addition, our buses feature tyre pressure monitoring systems, which help operators maintain the correct tyre pressure based on the application, whether it is city or intercity service. This also contributes to better tyre performance and overall vehicle longevity. Our R&D team is particularly focused on predictive maintenance, onboard diagnostics, superior ride quality and extending the operational life of the vehicle.
Q: Are you looking at artificial intelligence and advanced technologies in your buses?
Arathi K. Parigi: Yes. AI is an important part of our future roadmap. We already use onboard diagnostics as the foundation for predictive maintenance, and our next step is to integrate AI so that we can move from diagnostics to prognostics.Prognostics will enable the vehicle to predict how it is likely to perform under different operating conditions. However, to build these systems effectively, we need to run our buses for longer periods and gather more real-world field data.
Q: Do you have plans to enter the longer-distance intercity bus segment?
Arathi K. Parigi: Absolutely. Our 12-metre electric bus is expected to be ready for deployment soon and is intended for intercity operations. We already offer a nine-metre variant for shorter intercity routes, while the upcoming 12-metre model will expand our presence in the longer-distance intercity market.
Q: What will differentiate Neuton Auto in the electric bus market?
Arathi K. Parigi: Our emphasis is on superior ride quality, longer vehicle life and intelligent maintenance. We believe these factors will reduce operating costs for fleet operators while improving comfort and reliability, helping Neuton Auto establish a strong position in the electric bus industry.