Force Motors to launch Traveller EV, including electric ambulance, between January and March 2027

Force Motors is preparing to launch electric vehicles built on its Traveller platform, the Traveller EV, in 2027. According to the company's plan, the vehicles are due between January and March 2027. An electric ambulance could be one of the first models. This is likely to increase the use of electric vehicles in the commercial vehicle segment.

Force Motors Managing Director Prasanna Firodia said development of the electric Traveller is complete. Final tests are under way and the homologation process with the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) is also continuing. This certification has to be completed before a vehicle can be put on sale.

The company had showcased an electric version of the Traveller at the 2024 Auto Expo, but commercial sales of these vehicles had not begun then. The company is now preparing to bring several variants of the Traveller EV rather than limiting itself to one model. It has not yet disclosed the price, battery capacity, driving range or charging time.

The Traveller platform is used for ambulances, school buses, staff transport, police vans, delivery vehicles and tourism. With an electric ambulance, healthcare institutions may also consider electric vehicles.

In the next phase, an electric version of Force Motors' passenger vehicle Urbania will arrive. The Urbania EV is currently under development and its homologation may take a few months.

According to Force Motors, the adoption of EVs in commercial passenger transport will progress gradually. Vehicle price, driving range and charging facilities are the major issues. School buses run on fixed routes with a fixed daily distance, so electric vehicles may be relatively easier to use there. In tourism and intercity travel, however, routes vary, so arranging charging could be difficult.

The company has planned an investment of Rs 3,000 crore for expanding production capacity, engineering, electrification, hybrid driveline technology and digitalisation. It also intends to raise vehicle production capacity to 85,000 units. Against this backdrop, further updates on the Traveller EV and Urbania EV will be important for the commercial vehicle segment.