The landmark partnership commits to 250 electric buses, transforming long-haul routes by enabling quick turnarounds, making scalable EV operations a commercial reality.
National, India — January 20,
2026 : Fresh Bus, India’s pioneering all-electric intercity bus service, today
announced a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Exponent Energy,
a Bengaluru-based tech company. This strategic alliance introduces India’s
first rapid-charging, long-range electric intercity bus platform, fundamentally
reimagining intercity mobility by delivering a travel experience that is more
comfortable, sustainable, scalable, and commercially viable across India’s vast
network.
This collaboration marks a
pivotal moment for the Indian transportation sector. Fresh Bus is set to become
India’s first and only intercity electric bus operator capable of deploying a
100% all-sleeper EV fleet on long-distance routes, fortified by Exponent
Energy's superfast charging capabilities. This approach transforms traditional
EV limitations into a competitive advantage for scalable, efficient intercity
operations.
Under this comprehensive
partnership, Fresh Bus has committed to deploying up to 250 electric buses,
supported by Exponent Energy’s rapid-charging platform and 1.5 MW charging
infrastructure. Fresh Bus will shortly commence services on the high-demand
Hyderabad–Bengaluru corridor, marking the first phase of a planned pan-India
expansion.
Traditionally, intercity electric
buses, often limited to an effective range of around 350 km, faced challenges
with extended charging times. Fresh Bus, in collaboration with Exponent Energy,
has co-designed a comprehensive ecosystem that unlocks unlimited range for EV
buses through en route 15 minute rapid charging.
Instead of relying on larger,
heavier, and more expensive battery packs to extend range, Exponent Energy’s
rapid-charging platform enables long-haul operations through robust superfast
charging. This, combined with megawatt-scale charging infra deployment along
highways, enables the buses to effectively have long-range capabilities to
serve even 1,000 km trip routes, while simultaneously allowing rapid turnaround
times between trips. This significantly reduces mid-point charging halts,
enhances passenger experience, ensures faster turnaround times, improved fleet
utilization, and greater service frequency. This makes longer, high-demand
intercity routes operationally viable for electric buses – routes previously
constrained by prolonged charging stops and range limitations – and lowers the
total cost of ownership compared to oversized battery configurations.
"This is a systems-level
solution built for real-world intercity operations. Fast charging is inherently
more efficient than simply adding oversized batteries," said Sudhakar
Chirra, Founder & CEO, Fresh Bus. "After two years of close
collaboration and rigorous joint engineering with Exponent Energy, we’re ready
to deploy at scale. We are not merely adopting EVs; we are co-designing a new
paradigm for intercity travel that is faster, more reliable, and ultimately,
more passenger-centric, directly addressing the myth that electric buses cannot
reliably conquer India’s vast intercity network."
Commenting on the announcement,
Arun Vinayak, Founder & CEO of Exponent Energy stated, “Rapid
charging truly unlocks the opportunity to replace diesel buses with EVs on
long-haul routes. A 15-minute quick charge every 300 km during highway pitstops
allows for diesel vehicle like operations with all the benefits of EVs to the
fleet operator, the passengers and the climate.
We’re proud to have developed the
entire 1.5MW charging capability and rapid charging technology in India. And
we’re proud to be working with Fresh Bus to co-design the ecosystem. Together,
we’re putting India in pole position when it comes to long haul electrification
globally”
This marks a significant step in
accelerating India’s transition from conventional Internal Combustion Engine
(ICE) buses to commercially viable, scalable electric intercity transportation.
Fresh Bus's ambitious vision is to capture 10% of India’s intercity market
share by operating 10,000 EV buses, and this partnership with Exponent Energy
is a monumental stride toward achieving that goal.
"Our goal is not just to
operate electric buses, but to fundamentally redefine what intercity travel
looks like in India – making it seamless, sustainable, and superior,"
added Chirra. "This collaboration with Exponent Energy brings us closer to
that vision, paving the way for an unparalleled intercity travel experience for
millions of Indians."
About Fresh Bus Fresh Bus is a leading all-electric intercity
bus service in India, committed to redefining intercity travel. Focusing on
sustainability, customer experience, and passenger safety, Fresh Bus operates a
fleet of all-electric buses that provide a premium, flight-like in-cabin
experience. Features and amenities include noise-free air-conditioned cabins,
comfortable all-sleeper configurations, uniformed crew, IoT-enabled real-time
bus health monitoring, stringent driver quality standards, security CCTVs,
personal charging docks, and real-time bus tracking. For more information,
please visit www.freshbus.com.
About Exponent Energy Led by Arun Vinayak, Exponent Energy aims to
simplify energy for EVs. The company has built a battery pack named e^pack;
charging station called e^pump; and charging connector e^plug that together
unlock a 0 to 100% charge in 15 minutes for EVs with any number of wheels &
provide a 3000-cycle life warranty – all while using regular Li-ion cells to
make rapid charging truly affordable and scalable.
To know more, visit the official
Exponent Energy website: www.exponent.energy