Fresh Bus, Exponent Energy Partner to Launch Rapid-Charging Electric Intercity Buses

In a major push towards sustainable long-distance travel, Fresh Bus, an electric intercity bus operator, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bengaluru-based Exponent Energy to deploy rapid-charging electric buses across India. The partnership aims to revolutionize intercity travel by enabling efficient, long-haul EV operations.

Deployment and Charging Infrastructure

Under 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 of charging infrastructure. Operations are set to begin on the Hyderabad-Bengaluru route, with plans to expand to other key intercity corridors.

The system enables buses to recharge in roughly 15 minutes at intervals of around 300 km. This rapid-charging approach reduces the need for oversized batteries, allowing for quicker turnaround times and improved fleet utilisation. Multiple charging stops along the route will allow electric buses to cover trips extending beyond 1,000 km efficiently.

Addressing Operational Challenges

Fresh Bus highlighted that the partnership aims to overcome common EV limitations, including charging duration and range constraints. Exponent Energy will provide locally developed charging hardware, including battery packs, high-power charging stations, and connectors tailored for rapid intercity operations.

Sudhakar Chirra, Founder and CEO of Fresh Bus, said, “This is a systems-level solution built for real-world intercity operations. Fast charging is inherently more efficient than simply adding oversized batteries. After two years of joint engineering with Exponent Energy, we are 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 more passenger-centric.”

Benefits and Long-Term Vision

Exponent Energy’s Arun Vinayak, Founder and CEO, added, “Rapid charging unlocks the potential to replace diesel buses with EVs on long-haul routes. A 15-minute quick charge every 300 km allows electric buses to operate like diesel vehicles while providing environmental and operational benefits. We are proud that this 1.5 MW charging capability was developed in India, placing the country at the forefront of long-haul electrification globally.”

Fresh Bus envisions operating up to 10,000 electric buses in the long term, aiming to capture 10 percent of India’s intercity bus market. The collaboration with Exponent Energy is a critical step toward this ambitious target, combining rapid charging, long-range capabilities, and efficient fleet management to make electric intercity travel practical and sustainable.

This partnership marks a significant milestone in India’s journey towards decarbonising road transport and demonstrates how innovative charging solutions can make electric mobility viable for long-distance routes.