Anert, KSRTC, and Toshiba to Convert Old Diesel Buses into Fast-Charging Electric Vehicles

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala is set to launch a project to convert diesel buses that are over five years old and no longer in use into fully electric vehicles. The initiative is a joint effort by the Agency for Non-conventional Energy and Rural Technology (Anert), the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), and Japanese technology firm Toshiba. Under the project, key diesel components such as the engine, gearbox, and transmission system will be removed and replaced with an electric motor, battery, Battery Management System (BMS), and Motor Control Unit (MCU). The buses will also be equipped with pantograph-based roof-mounted charging systems.
The conversion project introduces, for the first time in India, a system that allows electric bus batteries to be charged within 10 to 20 minutes using a 400-kilowatt pantograph charging setup. In its initial phase, three electric buses will be rolled out. These vehicles will be fitted with a powertrain that includes a 200-kilowatt Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) and LTO (Lithium Titanate Oxide) batteries ranging from 100 to 150 kilowatts.
The electric services will operate on two routes: Thiruvananthapuram–Kottarakkara and Thiruvananthapuram–Ernakulam. To support the operations, pantograph charging infrastructure with 400-kilowatt capacity will be installed at key locations including Kayamkulam, Ernakulam, and Kottarakkara. The bus to Ernakulam will be charged at the Kayamkulam station and again during its return trip at Ernakulam. The bus starting from Kottarakkara can be charged in 15 minutes, enabling it to run the trip to Thiruvananthapuram without delay.
KSRTC’s own workshops will handle the conversion work, and its mechanical staff will be given training specific to the retrofitting process. The project also highlights a significant shift in battery technology. While most electric vehicles currently rely on LFP (Lithium Ferro Phosphate) batteries that require one to four hours for a full charge, the use of LTO batteries—supplied by Toshiba—will significantly cut down charging time to just 10 to 15 minutes.
The project is being seen as a practical solution to modernize the existing fleet without investing in entirely new vehicles, and is expected to improve efficiency, reduce emissions, and support the state’s broader electric mobility goals.