Keto Motors has officially entered India’s commercial electric bus market with the launch of the Urbanova KE9, the company’s first electric bus designed for public transport. During the launch event, the company also handed over the first vehicle to its operating partner.
Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Hyderabad, Keto Motors specializes in commercial electric vehicles. Earlier this year, the company became publicly listed through a reverse merger with Taaza International Limited.
₹300 Crore Investment to Expand EV Manufacturing
In December 2025, Keto Motors signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Telangana to invest approximately ₹300 crore in expanding its manufacturing facility at Jadcherla and establishing a new production unit at the Telangana EV Mobility Valley.
The investment will support the production of 9-metre electric buses and is expected to create more than 2,000 direct jobs over the next three years.
Urbanova KE9 Specifications
The Urbanova KE9 is a 9-metre electric bus designed for urban transit with the following key specifications:
- Length: 8,985 mm
- Width: 2,532 mm
- Height: 3,189 mm
- Seating Capacity: Up to 31 passengers
- Floor Height: 900 mm
- Driving Range: More than 150 km under fully loaded conditions
- Top Speed: Up to 80 km/h
Safety and performance features include:
- Electro-hydraulic power steering
- Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
- Regenerative braking
- Disc brakes
Smart Fleet Management Platform
Keto Motors has also introduced KETO Connected, a digital fleet management platform developed in partnership with ROQIT.
The platform offers:
- Real-time vehicle health monitoring
- Battery performance analytics
- Remote diagnostics
- Predictive maintenance
- Fleet operations management
Certified for Commercial Use
According to the company, the Urbanova KE9 has received CMVR Type Approval Certification from the Global Automotive Research Centre (GARC), confirming compliance with India’s statutory safety and performance standards.
Technology Partnership with Taiwan’s TRON Energy
Keto Motors has partnered with TRON Energy Technology of Taiwan to integrate advanced technologies, including:
- Liquid-cooled battery systems
- Battery Management Systems (BMS)
- Connected vehicle technologies
- Electric powertrain solutions
- Chassis engineering
Government Backs Electric Mobility
The launch event was attended by Union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy, who described the Urbanova KE9 as a milestone for India’s clean mobility ambitions.
He said the launch reflects India’s growing manufacturing capabilities under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative and highlighted the importance of electric mobility in reducing emissions, strengthening energy security, and promoting indigenous innovation.
Telangana Expands Electric Bus Fleet
Speaking at the event, Y. Nagi Reddy, Managing Director of the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC), said the corporation currently operates 10,201 buses, including 1,050 electric buses, serving nearly 6 million passengers daily.
TGSRTC plans to add:
- 800 electric buses by December 2026
- 1,400 more electric buses by December 2027
The goal is to deploy around 3,000 electric buses across Hyderabad to significantly reduce urban carbon emissions.
Company’s Vision
Keto Motors Director Venkatesh Challa said the Urbanova KE9 represents the company’s broader vision of building a complete commercial electric mobility ecosystem by integrating vehicle manufacturing, smart technologies, charging infrastructure, and digital fleet management tailored for Indian operating conditions.
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