Switch Mobility has officially launched, targeting UK and global transport operators and fleets with its electric buses and LCVs.

Switch Mobility is being led by former Aston Martin boss Andy Palmer as newly appointed executive vice chairman and chief executive officer

The business combines the electric commercial vehicle operations of Ashok Leyland and the former Optare company, and is backed by the Hinduja Group.

The group is being led by former Aston Martin boss Andy Palmer as newly appointed executive vice chairman and chief executive officer, and seeks to be a leader in urban e-mobility.

As part of its ramp-up, Switch has already signed customer agreements with leading logistic operators and secured orders for a 2,000-strong e-LCV fleet with customer trials starting this month.

Andy Palmer commented: “Switch holds a unique position in an increasingly competitive marketplace with our EV commercial vehicles already clocking millions of miles in service. We embrace the ethos of a start-up and enjoy the legacies of intellectual property, borne from more than a decade of technical expertise and engineering experience, that is already revenue-generating and delivering for our customers. I’m delighted to have become part of the Executive Leadership team and believe we have all the required ingredients to become a leading global e-bus and e-truck player, trail-blazing the way to zero-carbon public transport.”