Nov

Switch Mobility Shifts EV-Bus Production to Ras Al Khaimah

The UAE continues to strengthen its position as a global hub for advanced mobility industries. In a pivotal shift, Switch Mobility, the electric bus subsidiary of India’s Ashok Leyland and part of the Hinduja Group, has officially moved its EV-bus manufacturing base from the UK to Ras Al Khaimah (RAK). This move marks a defining moment for the nation’s clean transport ambitions and further establishes the UAE as a strategic leader in sustainable vehicle production.

At Drive UAE, we’re tracking how such investments are reshaping the region’s mobility ecosystem, and this milestone underlines how fast the UAE is moving into the future.

Table of Contents

A New Era for UAE EV Manufacturing

The relocation places Switch Mobility’s production inside Ashok Leyland’s long-standing RAK facility, first launched in 2008 and already widely recognized for delivering thousands of buses across the GCC and Africa.

Here’s why this shift matters:

First large-scale EV-bus manufacturing move into the UAE
RAK positioned as a global export hub
Cost efficiency and regional access drive the decision
A stronger foundation for both public and private electrified fleets

Rather than build an entirely new plant, Switch Mobility is investing under $3 million to upgrade the existing factory, allowing rapid setup of EV production lines and faster time-to-market.

How the UAE Became the Smart Choice

Switch Mobility explored various options before confirming RAK as its new base. The biggest factors supporting their decision include:

Strong logistics access to Europe, the UK, GCC and Africa
Business-friendly industrial policies
Lower operating and transport costs vs. the UK
The UAE’s growing ecosystem of EV parts and technology suppliers

With more than 55% of bus parts already sourced locally, the upgraded plant becomes not just an assembly unit, but a key regional manufacturing hub with deep supply-chain integration.

What This Means for the Middle East

The first Switch electric buses are expected to begin trial operations in the UAE and Saudi Arabia by summer 2025, with commercial rollout targeting the end of next year.

This shift signals:

Better servicing and support for regional fleets
Increased confidence in large-scale EV adoption
Competitive opportunities for fleet electrification projects
Faster delivery timelines for regional government tenders

As GCC countries accelerate sustainability goals, locally produced EV buses will give operators the reliability and response times they need.

Part of a Bigger Global Strategy

Switch Mobility has already reported profitability in the current financial year, showing that its transition from diesel platforms to electric technologies is well underway. Bringing production into the UAE marks an evolution in the Hinduja Group’s international footprint and its commitment to:

✔ Sustainable mobility
✔ Global-scale competitiveness
✔ Export-ready EV manufacturing

UAE-made EV buses based on the company’s EiV12 and E1 platforms will soon carry passengers across some of the region’s busiest routes.

Switch Mobility Shifts EV-Bus Production to Ras Al Khaima

A Win for the UAE, a Win for the Future

For the UAE, this relocation represents:

A real-world boost to its industrial transformation strategy
Strong recognition from a global automotive leader
A clear pathway toward becoming an export base for clean technologies

For the wider region, it offers the promise of accessible, reliable and eco-friendly public transportation, built right here at home.

Final Word from Drive UAE

Switch Mobility’s expansion confirms something we’ve long believed, the UAE isn’t just adopting the future of mobility; it’s building it.

Stay tuned for more updates as Ras Al Khaimah rolls out the next generation of electric buses that will power cleaner, smarter journeys across the Gulf.