Prawaas 4.0 Conference To Promote Multi-Modal Public Mobility

Prawaas 4.0 Conference To Promote Multi-Modal Public Mobility

The Bus and Car Operators Confederation of India (BOCI) announced the Prawaas 4.0 exhibition to be held from 29 – 31 August 2024 at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC).

Prawaas 4.0 is an effort towards multi-modal transportation, where it will carve the future of mobility. The conference will host expert talks, exhibit displays of latest technology in the sector and an award ceremony will recognize exceptional contributions and the talent within this industry. Poised to be an unparalleled convergence, bringing together over 100+ expert speakers, 200+ leading exhibitors, 1500+ industry delegates, and 6000+ bus and car operators, with an expected attendance of over 10,000 business visitors.

The theme of Prawaas 4.0 this year will be ‘Safe, Smart, and Sustainable Passenger Mobility’ and promises to bring together the entire spectrum of multimodal transport stakeholders. This includes manufacturers of buses and cars, fleet owners, as well as partners in metro and LEVs from all 36 States and Union Territories of India. In this edition of Prawaas, a significant emphasis will be placed on the school Bus segment, Tourism, Electric Vehicles (EV), and Metro systems.

The unveiling of the Prawaas 4.0 was graced by esteemed dignitaries such as Ramalinga Reddy, Minister for Transport and Muzrai, Government of Karnataka; Jagdeo Singh Khalsa, Chairman, BOCI, Prasanna Patwardhan, President, BOCI; Alah Baksh Afzal, General Secretary, BOCI; Harsh Kotak, Treasurer, BOCI and Jagdish Patankar, Executive Chairman, MM Activ, the Event Curators. 

Realizing the vision of "Viksit Bharat" by the Prime Minister, Prawaas 4.0 advocates for increased utilization of public transport. This promotes the reduction of road congestion while also conforming to sustainability objectives.

The associates for the event include Karnataka State Bus Owners Association, Karnataka State Tourism Private Transport Owners Association, Karnataka State Travel Operators Association, Karnataka Tourist Motor Cab Maxi Owners Welfare Association, Bangalore Tourist Taxi Owners Association.

Tata Motors, Redbus, Eberspaecher Suetrak, Abhibus, VECV, Ashok Leyland, JBM, Repose, Bitla, Mahindra School Bus Division, Urjja Bus, MG Motor, Valeo, Trans ACNR, Valeo Motherson and more corporates are also expected to participate.

“In the past three years, Prawaas has united the Bus, Taxi, and Transport industry to address regulatory needs and system improvements. State and Central government support is vital for enhancing quality of life and industry growth. Our focus is on delivering top-notch tourism experiences, necessitating infrastructure improvements, safe roads, better accessibility, and reduced taxes. Nationwide, 380 million people travel by bus, with Karnataka alone hosting 120 million passengers in KSRTC buses. Prioritizing tourism development will drive growth in the transport sector. We have already boosted accessibility with the online All India Permit Service and reduced parking fees at the Kalasipalyam bus stop. We will back the entire ecosystem, aiming to generate Rs 500 crores annually. Let's stand together to ensure the event's success,” said Shri Ramalinga Reddy, Minster for Transport and Muzrai, Government of Karnataka.

"In the bustling streets of Bangalore, a city thriving with transportation innovation, we stand at a pivotal juncture, recalling Darwin's enduring wisdom: adaptability is paramount for survival. The growing demand for accessible public transport is evident, given the surge in personal vehicles and infrastructure costs. Presently, private businesses own 92 percent of buses in India, while 85 percent of the populace relies solely on public transit. This underscores the urgent need to reconsider public transport, bridge the gap between private and public transit, and reform taxes to incentivize bus usage. Every step towards a brighter future showcases our shared commitment and collective foresight," said Prasanna Patwardhan, President, BOCI.

Tata Motors Launches LPO 1822 Bus Chassis

Tata LPO 1822

Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles, one of India’s leading players in the commercial vehicle segment, has unveiled what it claims is its most advanced intercity platform yet – the all-new Tata LPO 1822 bus chassis.

The Tata LPO 1822 is said to provide a superior ride experience through its full-air suspension and low NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) attributes – ensuring a fatigue-free journey for passengers and drivers alike. It is available in flexible configurations ranging from 36-seaters to 50-seaters and sleeper layouts.

Anand S, Vice-President and Head – Commercial Passenger Vehicle Business, Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles, said, “India’s intercity transport ecosystem is undergoing a transformation, driven by rising connectivity and growing passenger expectations. The Tata LPO 1822 is an advanced product – combining superior ride quality, robust engineering and intelligent features to deliver unmatched value. It is a win-win for passengers, drivers and fleet owners – elevating comfort, enhancing safety and improving profitability.”

The LPO 1822 is powered by a 5.6-litre Cummins diesel engine, which delivers 220hp and 925Nm of torque. The chassis also serves as the underpinning for the fully built Tata Magna Coach.

As part of aftersales peace-of-mind, the LPO 1822 comes with a complimentary four-year subscription to Fleet Edge, Tata Motors’ next generation connected vehicle platform, which provides real-time diagnostics, predictive maintenance and data-driven fleet optimisation.

Traton Group

European commercial vehicle major the TRATON Group saw a 16 percent decline in unit sales YoY in Q3 of CY2025, amidst a market environment.

Based on preliminary figures, the group sold 71,400 vehicles in Q3 CY2025, down from 85,300 in the same quarter last year. Unit sales for the first nine months of 2025 amounted to 224,500 vehicles, a 9 percent decrease. Sales of all-electric vehicles rose by 55 percent in the quarter to 820 units.

Scania Vehicles & Services recorded a 1 percent drop in unit sales in Q3 CY2025. Sales in Europe offset decreasing unit sales in Brazil, where the market continues to have high dealer inventory levels and rising interest rates.

MAN Truck & Bus increased its unit sales by 24 percent in Q3 CY2025. Truck sales increased YoY despite the European truck market. Sales of buses and MAN TGE vans supported the increase.

International Motors saw a 57 percent decrease in unit sales compared to the prior-year quarter, when a delivery backlog caused by a plant fire was resolved. The US truck market remains weak, with tariff-related uncertainties and a freight recession continuing.

Volkswagen Truck & Bus (VWTB) recorded a 4 percent decrease in unit sales in Q3 CY2025. The slowdown in the Brazilian market is impacting VWTB, although South American markets such as Argentina, Chile, Colombia and Peru show trends of growth. VWTB increased unit sales by 3 percent in the first 9-months of 2025 due to a strong Q1.

Brand Q3 2025 Unit Sales Change 9M 2025 Unit Sales Change
TRATON GROUP 71,400 –16% 224,500 –9%
Scania Vehicles & Services 21,500 –1% 68,400 –8%
MAN Truck & Bus 24,600 24% 71,700 4%
International Motors 13,400 –57% 48,000 –28%
Volkswagen Truck & Bus 11,900 –4% 36,700 3%
Tata Prima EV

Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles has commenced delivery of the Tata Prima E.55S battery electric prime-mover to Enviiiro Wheels Mobility, a provider of commercial transport solutions for the power, mining, cement and steel sectors.

The first batch of the fleet was handed over today in Chittorgarh, Rajasthan. The heavy-duty, zero-emission trucks will transport minerals and ores.

The Prima E.55S features an integrated e-axle and regenerative braking for range. The vehicle offers a range of up to 350 km on a charge. It includes a 3-speed Auto Shift transmission with an e-axle for efficiency and performance and dual gun fast charging capability.

Safety features include a Driver Monitoring System, Lane Departure Warning, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System and Cruise Control, along with an Electronic Braking System and ADAS features. The Prima cabin includes a pneumatically suspended seat and tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel to boost driver productivity.

Praveen Somani, Managing Director, Enviiiro Wheels Mobility and Director, Inland World Logistics, said, “As a young company committed to making logistics sustainable, the addition of Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles’ advanced electric prime movers to our fleet marks a defining step towards decarbonised operations. With zero emissions, superior performance, and advanced safety and comfort features, the Prima E.55S is an ideal choice to support our customers’ net zero goals. Backed by Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles’ proven after-sales ecosystem, we are confident of building a future-ready fleet that sets new benchmarks in clean and efficient mineral and ore transportation.”

Rajesh Kaul, Vice-President & Business Head – Trucks, Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles, said, "We are delighted to deliver the first batch of Prima E.55S electric prime movers to Enviiiro Wheels Mobility. As the market leader in the trucks segment, Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles is proud to lead India’s transition to sustainable freight with advanced solutions. These robustly engineered vehicles align closely with Enviiiro Wheels’ sustainability goals, advancing greener operations while delivering long-term value.”

Hindustan Zinc Launches Electric Bulkers To Decarbonise Logistics

Hindustan Zinc - Enviiiro Wheels Mobility

Hindustan Zinc (HZL), the world's largest integrated zinc producer, has taken a major step towards sustainable operations by deploying a fleet of 40 Electric Vehicle (EV) Bulkers at its Zinc Smelter Debari facility in Udaipur.

The company is deploying the EV bulkers in collaboration with Enviiiro Wheels Mobility under an extensive eight-year contract. These vehicles will be used to transport calcine (a by-product of the roasting process) from the Debari smelter to the company's integrated zinc-lead smelter in Chittorgarh. The first batch of 10 bulkers is already operational, with the remaining units scheduled for rollout in the coming months.

This initiative is a significant step in HZL's commitment to achieving Net Zero by 2050 or sooner. The transition to EVs complements the company's existing use of LNG and battery-powered trucks and its wider strategy of integrating renewable energy and advanced energy-efficiency measures.

Arun Misra, CEO, Hindustan Zinc, said, “We are embedding sustainability into the core of our logistics strategy to build an ecosystem that is clean, connected, and future ready. These electric mobility solutions are not just reducing our carbon footprint, but also unlocking operational efficiency, workforce safety, and long-term value - all aligned with our broader vision of decarbonising operations and enabling India’s green industrial growth.”

In a related move, HZL also signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Enviiiro Wheels Mobility to introduce electric buses for employee transportation at the Zinc Smelter Debari. This shift will further reduce the company's Scope 3 emissions and ensure a cleaner commute for its workforce.

Praveen Somani, CEO, Enviiiro Wheels Mobility, said, “Hindustan Zinc’s groundbreaking endeavour marks a pivotal moment in India’s manufacturing landscape. We stand committed to Hindustan Zinc’s vision of decarbonisation and believe that our green logistics solutions are instrumental to advancing India’s sustainability objectives. As part of our ongoing commitment with Hindustan Zinc, we’re proud to deploy 40 additional electric bulkers for Vedanta. We firmly believe that clean and eco-friendly mobility solutions will play a pivotal role in aiding industries to attain their sustainability goals”.