Hyderabad:
India’s electric mobility movement just got a fresh passenger on board — and this one carries 42 people at a time. Keto Motors has secured CMVR Type Approval certification from the Global Automotive Research Centre (GARC) for its Urbanova KE9, a 9-metre electric bus designed for India’s rapidly evolving public transport ecosystem.
The certification marks a crucial milestone for the Hyderabad-based electric vehicle manufacturer, confirming that the Urbanova KE9 meets all statutory safety, structural integrity, performance, and passenger protection requirements. In simpler terms: the bus is officially cleared to roll out of testing grounds and onto real Indian roads — where potholes, traffic, and monsoon surprises are part of the standard driving test.
With regulatory approvals now in place, Keto Motors is preparing to begin customer demonstrations and commercial deployments across State Transport Undertakings (STUs), employee transport services, school fleets, and urban mobility operators looking to transition from diesel-powered buses to cleaner electric alternatives.
Taiwan Tech Meets Indian Roads
A key strength behind the Urbanova KE9 is Keto Motors’ technology partnership with TRON, Taiwan’s largest electric bus OEM. The collaboration brings access to advanced technologies including patented liquid-cooled battery systems, self-developed Battery Management Systems (BMS), Fleet Management Systems (FMS), and high-efficiency propulsion technology.
This partnership helps Keto Motors deliver electric buses specifically tailored to India’s challenging operating conditions — from dense traffic and steep flyovers to long urban duty cycles.
Speaking on the achievement, Venkatesh Challa, Director, Keto Motors, 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 customer deployments and supporting India’s transition toward clean, zero-emission public transport.”
Designed for Busy Urban Routes
The Urbanova KE9 has been engineered to meet the operational demands of city mobility networks and fleet operators.
The electric bus offers a range of up to 225 km, powered by a 245 kW motor producing 3000 Nm of torque, enabling smooth acceleration even on gradients and crowded city roads. The bus uses a liquid-cooled PMSM motor and delivers a certified cruise range of 188 km (IDC).
Top speed is rated at 80 km/h, while 20% gradability ensures the bus can handle steep flyovers and urban inclines without breaking a sweat.
Passenger comfort and safety have also been prioritized. The bus accommodates 31 seated passengers and 11 standing passengers, and comes equipped with:
- Air suspension for improved ride comfort
- ABS braking system
- Regenerative braking for improved energy efficiency
- Electro-hydraulic power steering
- Disc brakes for enhanced stopping performance
- CCS2 fast charging support to minimize downtime
In short, the Urbanova KE9 is designed to keep passengers comfortable while keeping operators happy with lower running costs.
Made in Telangana
Production of the Urbanova KE9 will begin in early FY26 at Keto Motors’ 20-acre integrated manufacturing facility in Jadcherla, Telangana. The plant features advanced testing infrastructure and in-house bus body manufacturing capabilities, enabling end-to-end production and strict quality control.
The facility will support Keto Motors’ initial annual manufacturing capacity of 1,000 buses, helping the company scale deliveries across India’s expanding electric public transport market.
More Electric Buses on the Way
The Urbanova KE9 is just the beginning. Keto Motors is also developing 12-metre and 6-metre electric bus platforms, which will expand the company’s presence across multiple segments of public and commercial transportation.
As cities push for cleaner air and sustainable mobility solutions, electric buses like the Urbanova KE9 could soon become a familiar sight on Indian streets.
And if all goes according to plan, the next time a bus quietly glides past you without the usual diesel roar, chances are it might just be one of Keto Motors’ Urbanova models silently doing its job — moving people while giving the environment a much-needed break.
