Keto Motors has crossed a critical regulatory milestone in its journey to scale up its journey in India’s electric public transport ecosystem. The electric vehicle manufacturer has secured CMVR Type Approval certification from the Global Automotive Research Centre (GARC) for its 9-metre Urbanova KE9 electric bus, clearing the way for commercial deployment across the country.
The approval validates the Urbanova KE9’s compliance with statutory safety and performance standards, covering structural integrity, passenger safety, range efficiency, and operational reliability. With certification in place, Keto Motors is moving swiftly into customer demonstrations and preparing for large-scale deployments across State Transport Undertakings (STUs), employee transportation services, school fleets, and private urban mobility operators transitioning from diesel to electric platforms.
Built for Indian Roads, Backed by Global Technology
A key differentiator for Keto Motors lies in its technology collaboration with TRON, Taiwan’s largest e-bus OEM. The partnership provides access to patented liquid-cooled battery systems, self-developed Battery Management Systems (BMS) and Fleet Management Systems (FMS), along with high-efficiency propulsion technology. This technology backbone strengthens Keto Motors’ ability to deliver buses tailored to India’s demanding urban operating conditions.
Keto Motors director Venkatesh Challa said: “Securing CMVR Type Approval for the Urbanova KE9 is a defining milestone for Keto Motors. This certification reinforces our commitment to delivering dependable, high-performance electric mobility solutions designed specifically for Indian roads and fleet operators. With approvals in place, we are now focused on accelerating deployments and supporting India’s transition toward zero-emission public transport.”
Performance Meets Practicality
Engineered for efficient and comfortable intra-city mobility, the 9-metre Urbanova KE9 is built on an urban-grade chassis suited for STUs and smart city networks. It delivers a range of up to 225 km, powered by a 245 kW motor generating 3000 Nm torque, enabling reliable performance across gradients and dense city traffic.
The bus accommodates 31 seated passengers and 11 standing passengers, balancing capacity with comfort while ensuring lower operating costs and higher uptime for fleet operators.
Manufacturing Scale-Up In Telangana
Production of the Urbanova KE9 is scheduled to commence in early FY26 at Keto Motors’ 20-acre integrated manufacturing facility in Jadcherla, Telangana. The plant features advanced testing systems and in-house bus body manufacturing capabilities, enabling end-to-end production, stringent quality control, and rapid scale-up.
With an annual manufacturing capacity of 1,000 units, the company is positioning itself to serve the growing demand for electric buses across both public and commercial segments nationwide.
Expanding The Electric Bus Portfolio
Beyond the 9-metre platform, Keto Motors is also developing 12-metre and 6-metre electric bus models, aimed at broadening its footprint across city transport networks, intercity applications, and last-mile mobility solutions.