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SWITCH Mobility To Trial New E-Buses In UAE & Saudi Arabia In 2025
The SWITCH EiV12 and E1 offer cutting-edge features, cater to both the public and private sectors, and align with GCC sustainability goals.
SWITCH Mobility, a leading player in the commercial EV sector, has announced plans to conduct trial runs of its cutting-edge electric buses in the UAE and Saudi Arabia during the summer of 2025. If all goes to plan, the company aims to roll out the vehicles commercially across the wider Gulf region by the fourth quarter of the same year.
Speaking at a launch event in India where two new e-bus models — the SWITCH EiV12 and SWITCH E1 — were unveiled, SWITCH Mobility Chairman Dheeraj Hinduja shared the company’s growing interest in the GCC markets.
“The launch of the [buses] is a proud milestone for the Hinduja Group and Ashok Leyland, underscoring our commitment to sustainable mobility […] At SWITCH Mobility, we are driving a greener future and advancing our long-term vision to democratize electric mobility worldwide,” Hinduja explained.
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According to the SWITCH chairman, the EiV12 is likely to appeal to private companies, while the SWITCH E1, designed for the European market, is meant for the public sector. The company also plans to eventually manufacture buses at Ashok Leyland’s Ras Al Khaimah facility once demand reaches sufficient levels.
SWITCH E-Bus Models
- SWITCH EiV12: This model is India’s first low-floor city bus equipped with chassis-mounted batteries. It offers a scalable battery capacity exceeding 400 kWh and can accommodate up to 39 passengers. Powered by SWITCH iON, the company’s proprietary telematics system, the EiV12 ensures efficient fleet management with features like real-time vehicle health monitoring. Its rear-end charging interface allows quick recharges while optimizing depot space. Interiors are spacious, well-lit, and provide excellent visibility thanks to a large panoramic glass area.
- SWITCH E1: Engineered in the UK for European markets, the SWITCH E1 boasts a triple-door layout (front, center, and rear) and a flat gangway, making it highly accessible. With a capacity to carry up to 93 passengers, the bus is powered by in-wheel motors and sets a new standard for sustainable public transport in urban areas.
SWITCH Mobility has revealed that both models have already attracted significant global attention, with the company having received 1,800 orders to date.
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Checkout.com Set To Launch Card Issuing In The UAE
The payment service provider’s expansion is a first-of-its-kind investment and could reshape digital transactions across the region.
Checkout.com is laying the groundwork to become the first global payments platform to introduce card issuing in the United Arab Emirates — a move that could reshape how businesses in the region manage financial transactions.
The company plans to roll out its domestic card issuance offering in the UAE by 2026, subject to regulatory approval. The launch would give businesses the tools to issue both physical and virtual branded cards. This, in turn, opens up new ways to reward customers, streamline expense processes, and handle B2B payouts efficiently.
Checkout.com’s CEO and Founder, Guillaume Pousaz, revealed the plans during Thrive Abu Dhabi, the firm’s debut conference in the Emirates. Joined on stage by Remo Giovanni Abbondandolo, General Manager for MENA, Pousaz presented to an audience of over 150 partners and merchants at Saadiyat Island. Also in attendance was H.E. Omar Sultan Al Olama, the UAE’s Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications.
Abbondandolo highlighted the strategic importance of the announcement: “As a global business, we focus on bringing products to markets that our customers want and need. Today’s announcement is proof of our commitment to the MENA region and its rising influence in the digital economy. The appetite for innovation here is real, and we’re proud to be building the infrastructure that powers it”.
One early adopter of Checkout.com’s UAE acquiring services is Headout, a travel experiences marketplace, which recently named the payment provider as its main partner in Europe. The company has already begun card issuing there and is keen to expand that offering into MENA once approval is granted.
The expansion of services in the UAE and beyond builds on Checkout.com’s track record in the region. It was the first global payments firm to secure a Retail Payment Services license from the UAE’s Central Bank and was instrumental in rolling out Mada and Apple Pay in both the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
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The firm has also been rolling out new products: One of the latest is Flow Remember Me, currently in beta testing. It allows shoppers to store their card information once and access it across Checkout.com’s entire network, potentially cutting checkout times by up to 70%.
Earlier this year, Checkout.com also introduced Visa Direct’s Push-to-Card solution in the UAE, enabling both domestic and international payouts. Its collaboration with Mastercard has grown as well, making it easier for businesses to send funds directly to third-party cards securely and quickly.
With regional tech ambitions on the rise — spurred by initiatives like Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the UAE’s 2031 Agenda — Checkout.com sees its role as one of a key enabler. “Our mission is to help ambitious businesses navigate the complexity of payments, so they can move faster, go further, and make the most of every opportunity,” said Abbondandolo. “In MENA, performance is personal. It’s local. It’s built on trust. And when payments perform, businesses thrive”.
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