Dr. Andy Palmer Steps Down as Switch Mobility CEO, Mahesh Babu Named as Successor

Switch Mobility Ltd., the next-generation carbon neutral electric bus and light commercial vehicle company, has announced that  Dr. Andy Palmer, at his request, is stepping down as Vice Chairman and CEO for personal reasons. To maintain continuity of strategy and execution of plans, the Board has approved the elevation of Mr. Mahesh Babu as CEO of Switch Mobility.

Mr. Dheeraj Hinduja will be assuming the role of Executive Chairman, immediately.

Switch has established itself as a credible EV manufacturer in the industry in India and the UK.

Switch's product range includes an electrified double deck bus.

For the European market, a new 12m bus, E1, is planned to be introduced in 2023.

Switch has dedicated teams in Leeds, UK and Chennai, India.

Its vehicles are sold in over 46 countries around the globe.

Mr. Dheeraj Hinduja, Executive Chairman, Switch Mobility Ltd, says:, “I would like to personally thank Andy for his vision and commitment since the inception of Switch and what we have achieved so far would not have been possible without his astute leadership. Mahesh has the track record of successfully growing the business in India and I am confident that under his leadership, we can achieve the same in the UK and Europe.”

Switch was forged from the innovative EV elements of Ashok Leyland, the fourth largest bus OEM in the world, and Optare, the UK bus manufacturer with over a century of expertise in using the latest technologies in bus design.

In 2014, Switch (then Optare) introduced the first British built, pure electric buses to London’s roads and since then has put 300 EVs on the road, clocking up over 30 million electric miles in developed and developing markets.