JBM Electric Vehicles Inks Deal with Drivn to Supply 500 E-Buses, Revolutionizing Commercial Fleet Electrification

JBM Electric Vehicles (JBMEV), a subsidiary of JBM Auto Limited, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Drivn, an electric commercial vehicle leasing platform, to accelerate the adoption of electric buses in India. Under the partnership, JBMEV will supply 500 electric luxury buses over the next year, supporting the country’s transition toward cleaner and more sustainable public transportation.

The collaboration combines JBMEV’s electric mobility technology with Drivn’s leasing and financing solutions, making it easier for fleet operators to adopt electric vehicles without significant upfront capital investment.

500 Electric Luxury Buses to Be Deployed

As part of the agreement, JBMEV will manufacture and deliver 500 advanced electric luxury buses, which will initially be deployed for intercity passenger transportation.

The companies also plan to explore opportunities in additional mobility segments, including:

• School transportation
• Employee transportation
• Airport shuttle services
• Other commercial passenger mobility solutions

The initiative is expected to support the growing demand for premium electric mobility across India.

Asset-Light Model for Fleet Operators

A key feature of the partnership is Drivn’s asset-light leasing model, which enables transport operators to transition to electric buses with lower capital requirements.

The integrated offering includes:

• Long-term vehicle leasing and financing
• Fleet maintenance services
• Charging infrastructure support
• End-to-end fleet management solutions

This model is designed to reduce the financial barriers associated with commercial electric vehicle adoption while improving operational efficiency for fleet owners.

Supporting India’s Electric Mobility Mission

The partnership comes as India’s electric bus market continues to expand, supported by increasing government initiatives promoting clean transportation and sustainable urban mobility.

Growing adoption of electric buses under programmes such as PM e-Bus Sewa has created significant opportunities for manufacturers and fleet operators to invest in zero-emission public transport solutions.

By combining vehicle manufacturing with innovative financing models, JBMEV and Drivn aim to accelerate large-scale deployment of electric buses across the country.

Building a Sustainable Mobility Ecosystem

Commenting on the partnership, Nishant Arya, Chairman of JBM Electric Vehicles, said the collaboration comes at an important stage in India’s electric mobility journey and reflects the company’s commitment to creating a scalable and financially sustainable clean transportation ecosystem.

JBMEV has already established a strong presence in the electric bus segment, with more than 3,500 electric buses deployed globally and over 450 million electric kilometres covered by its fleet.

The latest partnership further strengthens the company’s position in India’s rapidly growing electric commercial vehicle market while supporting its long-term Net Zero 2040 sustainability vision.

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