Jindal Stainless Limited is partnering with JBM Auto Ltd. for fabrication of over 500 energy-efficient and light-weight stainless steel electric buses. Jindal Stainless will provide JT Tubes, made up of low-carbon, chromium-manganese austenitic stainless steel to JBM Auto. The material, also denoted as N7 in Bureau of Indian Standards specification, 6911, has three times the strength of the carbon steel currently used to fabricate buses.

JBM Auto, with an order book of over 5000 electric buses, is progressing in a transitional manner towards fabricating its electric buses from the earlier used, carbon steel to stainless steel now. This would result in lightweighting, enhanced performance, higher strength and durability of the buses. Currently, JBM Auto is also working towards transitioning its export orders for electric buses, into energy-efficient stainless steel buses.

The material will be supplied through Jindal Stainless' domestic service arm specialising in customisation and value addition, Jindal Stainless Steelway Limited (JSSL). The JT Tubes, provided by JSSL, will be used in making the superstructure of the buses, tailored for domestic operations in Telangana and suitable to combat its corrosive environment. JBM Auto will commence fabrication of stainless steel buses this month.