The morning sun was just hitting the hills of Uttarakhand when "Eco-One"—an EKA 9 electric bus—began its daily route between Dehradun and Rishikesh. Unlike the old diesel giants that roared to life with a cloud of black smoke, Eco-One started with a faint electronic hum.

As it pulled into the first station, passengers noticed its unique "smiley" front fascia, designed to look approachable and modern. A traveler in a wheelchair waited at the curb; the driver activated the kneeling feature , lowering the bus to just 650 mm from the ground and deploying the foldable ramp for easy boarding. Inside, the 2.5-meter wide body provided a spacious 2x2 seating layout, ensuring no one felt cramped even during the rush hour.

Halfway through the trip, a car suddenly swerved into the lane. The driver didn't panic; the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and ventilated disc brakes with EBS (Electronic Braking System) brought the 12,500 kg vehicle to a smooth, controlled stop.

On the open road toward Haridwar, the EKA 9 showed its strength. Its electric motor generated 2500 Nm of torque , allowing it to glide up steep 17% grades without breaking a sweat. Inside the cabin, it was remarkably quiet. Thanks to its monocoque stainless steel chassis and composite panels, the usual rattles and vibrations of a city bus were absent. Passengers enjoyed the panoramic views through the large windows while the powerful air conditioning, equipped with a bacterial filtration system , kept the air crisp and clean.