DRIVN, an electric commercial vehicle leasing platform, has partnered with Prasanna Purple Mobility Solutions Pvt Ltd, one of India’s leading private intercity bus operators, to deploy 100 electric coaches on key intercity routes. This collaboration is a significant milestone in advancing the electrification of India’s private intercity bus segment through an asset-light operating lease model, enabling operators to transition to electric mobility without substantial upfront capital investment.
The first batch of electric coaches is scheduled to be deployed by July–August 2026. Initial operations will cover high-demand routes including Mumbai-Pune, Bengaluru-Chennai and Hyderabad-Vijayawada. The two companies are also evaluating additional intercity corridors to rapidly expand fleet deployment following the successful rollout of the first 100 buses.
Under the partnership, DRIVN will lease the buses to Prasanna Purple through its long-term operating lease model. This model will enable Prasanna Purple to expand electric fleet with lower upfront capital investment while providing long-term fleet support.
Large-scale commercial electrification requires business models that make the transition commercially viable for operators, said Alpana Jain, co-founder and chief business officer of DRIVN. Our business model is designed to enable adoption by providing fairly predictable, competitive and long-term capital. Operators are also using our proprietary technology stack to increase their revenues and manage their electric fleets.
Saurabh P. Patwardhan, Director, Prasanna Group, said, “Large-scale electrification is no longer a question but rather who leads the transition. Through our collaboration with DRIVN, we are taking an important step towards building a cleaner and more sustainable future for intercity travel. We believe electric mobility can provide passengers with the reliability, comfort and operational efficiency they expect, while creating a model that can accelerate adoption across the industry.”
This partnership is an important step towards decarbonizing intercity passenger mobility in India and reflects the shared commitment of both organizations to advance sustainable transportation solutions. By combining a tech-first innovative leasing model, DRIVN and Prasanna Purple aim to create a scalable framework for widespread adoption of electric buses across the country.