Switch Mobility

Switch Mobility (originally called Optare) is an English bus builder founded in 1985 in Sherburn-in-Elmet, North Yorkshire. In 2020 Ashok Leyland bought the company and renamed it to Switch Mobility. In 2021 they announced they were building diesel-powered vehicles and work on alternative fuels like compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG) and hydrogen.[2]

Switch Mobility
Formerly
Optare (1985–2020)[1]
Public
Traded asOptare Group Limited
ISIN[https://isin.toolforge.org/?language=en&isin=INE208A01029 INE208A01029]
IndustryAutomotive
FoundedFebruary 1985; 39 years ago (1985-02) (as Optare)
HeadquartersSherburn-in-Elmet,
Leeds
,
United Kingdom
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Dheeraj Hinduja (Chairman)
Products
RevenueIncrease $4.88 million (31 March 2020)
Number of employees
325
ParentAshok Leyland
Websiteswitchmobilityev.com

Products

Buses

 
Optare Tempo SR in July 2012
 
Switch E1 at the European Mobility Expo in June 2022
 
Finalised design of Switch EiV 22
Current
  • Solo SR; Solo SR EV (2007–present)
  • Versa, midibus between Solo and Tempo (2006–present)
  • MetroCity; MetroCity EV (2012–present)
  • MetroDecker; MetroDecker EV (2014–present)
  • Bus 9.4M single decker (2021–present, Indian market only)[3]
  • Bus 12M single decker (2021–present, Indian market only)[3]
  • E1 single decker (2022–present)[4]
  • EiV 12 single decker (2022–present, Indian market only)[5]
  • EiV 22 double decker (2022–present)[6]
Past
  • CityPacer minibus (1985–1992, replaced by the MetroRider)
  • StarRider minibus (1987–1994, replaced by the MetroRider)
    • ColumboRider integral variant for export to Sri Lanka (1987–1994, replaced by the MetroRider)[7]
  • Delta single decker (1988–1999)
  • MetroRider minibus (1989–2000, replaced by Solo)
  • 9000-series minibus on Renault chassis for Leeds City Council (1990, replaced by the MetroRider)[8]
  • Spectra double decker (1991–1997, low floor 1997–2005)
  • Vecta midibus (1991–1997)
  • Sigma (1994–1996, single-deck version of the Spectra)
  • Prisma (1995–1998) single decker, Mercedes front
  • Excel (1995–1999) (Excel 2 1999–2004, replaced by Tempo)
  • Solo low floor midibus (1997–2012, replaced by restyled SR model)
    • (Solo+ (2008) Concept only)
    • (Solo EV 2009–2012 Replaced by restyled SR EV model)
  • Alero low floor minibus, (Alero 2001–2006, Alero Plus 2006–2008)
  • Irisbus Agora Line ((2002–2007) right-hand-drive version bodied by Optare, 23 were built for the UK)
  • Tempo single decker (2004–2012)
    • Tempo SR (2011–2020, Oceanian market only since 2017)
  • Versa, midibus between Solo and Tempo (2007–2018)
  • Esteem single decker (formerly East Lancs Esteem) (2008–2009)
  • Olympus double decker (formerly East Lancs Olympus) (2008–2011)
  • Visionaire open-top double decker (formerly East Lancs Visionaire) (2008–2011)
  • OmniDekka double decker (formerly East Lancs Omnidekka) (2008–2011, only adopted by Nottingham City Transport)
  • Rapta double decker ((2009) Concept only)

Coaches

Past

Pick-up trucks

Current eLCV Dost[9]

Switch Mobility Media

References

  1. "Switch Mobility Limited". Companies House. UK Government. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  2. "Ashok Leyland to transfer complete electric vehicles business to new arm Switch Mobility - The Economic Times". The Economic Times. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  3. 3.0 3.1 "Dr Andy Palmer: 'We will start taking orders and delivering Switch-badged CVs in India soon.'". autocarpro.in. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  4. "Switch Mobility e1 electric bus launched. ZF motors, NMC batteries, lightweight body". Sustainable Bus. 7 June 2022. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  5. Singh, Aaradhya. "Ashok-Leyland owned Switch Mobility launches EiV 12 electric bus". Evo India. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
  6. "Switch Mobility Reveals New EiV 22 Electric Double Decker In India". carandbike. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  7. "The Sunday Times On The Web - Business". www.sundaytimes.lk.
  8. Optare Renault Bus Lists on the Web
  9. "Ashok Leyland to roll out first electric LCV by FY22-end under Switch Mobility". Financialexpress. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  10. "Ashok Leyland targets new markets with Switch Mobility, to launch e-LCV this year". autocarpro.in. Retrieved 27 May 2022.

Other websites

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