Keto Motors Urbanova KE9 Electric Bus Launched For India Commercial Mobility

Keto Motors has expanded into the commercial electric bus segment with the launch of the Urbanova KE9, a new 9-metre battery-electric bus developed for urban and institutional transportation in India. During the launch event, the company also delivered the first vehicle to its operating partner, marking the beginning of commercial deployment. Founded in 2018, the company stated that it is building on the experience of its founding team, which contributed to the early development of the country's electric bus ecosystem, as it broadens its portfolio of commercial electric mobility solutions.

Keto Motors Expands Manufacturing Capacity In Telangana

Keto Motors is strengthening its manufacturing operations in India through a major investment in Telangana. Under a memorandum of understanding signed with the state government in December 2025, the company plans to invest approximately ₹300 crore to expand its existing Jadcherla manufacturing facility while also establishing a greenfield plant within Telangana EV Mobility Valley. The expansion is expected to support production of 9-metre electric buses and generate more than 2,000 direct employment opportunities over the next three years.

Urbanova KE9 Technical Specifications And Key Features

The Urbanova KE9 has been designed as a 9-metre electric bus capable of accommodating up to 31 passengers. It delivers a certified operating range exceeding 150 km under fully loaded conditions and reaches a maximum speed of up to 80 km/h. The vehicle is equipped with electro-hydraulic power steering, an anti-lock braking system (ABS), regenerative braking and disc brakes, providing a combination of operational efficiency, driving stability and enhanced safety for urban transport applications.

Urbanova KE9 Performance Overview

The following table highlights the principal specifications and features of the Urbanova KE9 electric bus.

Urbanova KE9 Key Specifications

Connected Fleet Technology And Industry Partnerships

Alongside the vehicle launch, Keto Motors introduced KETO Connected, a digital fleet management platform developed in collaboration with ROQIT. The platform offers real-time vehicle health monitoring, battery analytics, remote diagnostics and predictive maintenance capabilities to improve fleet operations. The company has also partnered with TRON Energy Technology of Taiwan for battery systems, powertrain technologies and chassis engineering, supporting the technical development of its commercial electric buses.

GARC Certification Supports Market Readiness

The Urbanova KE9 has received CMVR Type Approval certification from the Global Automotive Research Centre (GARC), confirming compliance with statutory safety and performance requirements. Commenting on the launch, Venkatesh Challa, Director of Keto Motors, said, "The launch of the Urbanova KE9 represents much more than the introduction of a new electric bus. It marks the beginning of Keto Motors' next phase of growth as we work towards building a comprehensive commercial mobility ecosystem for India."

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Keto Motors Urbanova KE9 electric bus?
The Keto Motors Urbanova KE9 is a 9-metre battery-electric commercial bus developed for urban and institutional transportation in India. It accommodates up to 31 passengers, delivers a certified operating range of more than 150 km under fully loaded conditions and includes features such as ABS, regenerative braking, disc brakes and electro-hydraulic power steering. The bus has also received CMVR Type Approval certification from the Global Automotive Research Centre, confirming compliance with applicable safety and performance standards.

What investment is Keto Motors making in Telangana?
Keto Motors plans to invest around ₹300 crore in Telangana under a memorandum of understanding signed with the state government in December 2025. The investment will expand the existing Jadcherla manufacturing facility and establish a new greenfield plant at Telangana EV Mobility Valley. The expansion is intended to increase production capacity for 9-metre electric buses while creating more than 2,000 direct jobs during the next three years.

What technologies are included in KETO Connected?
KETO Connected is a digital fleet management platform developed with ROQIT to enhance fleet operations for commercial electric buses. The platform provides real-time vehicle health monitoring, battery analytics, remote diagnostics and predictive maintenance capabilities. These connected technologies are designed to improve fleet uptime, simplify maintenance planning and provide operators with better visibility into vehicle performance throughout daily operations.