Switch Mobility held ceremony to mark the creation of manufacturing facility in Valladolid, Spain

Switch Mobility held a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the upcoming creation of its new advanced manufacturing facility in Valladolid, Spain.

With construction set to commence shortly and the first buses expected to be produced within 12 months, the 35-acre site in Valladolid – Switch’s first in continental Europe – will comprise two state of the art production lines and will be entirely carbon neutral from inception. With €100 million of investment planned for the site over the next decade, the facility will play a key role in rejuvenating the Soto de Medinilla area around Valladolid as well as creating an estimated 7,000 direct and indirect jobs in the region.

Switch Mobility in Valladolid: towards the launch of a new 12-meter e-bus

Phase one of the new development will house production of Switch’s new 12m bus designed for the European market. Phases two and three will add battery assembly capabilities and production of Switch’s zero carbon LCV from 2024 onwards.

The ceremony was attended last week by Raquel Sanchez Jimenez, Hon. Minister for Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda, Alfonso Fernandez Mañueco, President of the Region of Castilla y León and Oscar Puente, Mayor of Valladolid. The foundation stone was laid by Dheeraj Hinduja, Chairman of Switch Mobility, to mark the occasion.

Switch Mobility, the heritage of Optare…

Formal launch of Switch Mobility was announced in July 2021. Andy Palmer (former Aston Martin boss) has been appointed Executive Vice Chairman & CEO since 1st July.

Behind Switch Mobility’s brand lies the new electrified commercial vehicles group backed by the Indian Hinduja Group. Switch Mobility combines the electric commercial vehicle operations of Ashok Leyland and the former bus manufacturer Optare company (a quite well-known brand in London bus fleet, that in 2020 announced the launch of fuel cell double decker bus…) «to secure a leading global position in net zero carbon buses and light commercial vehicles», as the company stated.

In July last year the manufacturer has signed a strategic agreement with Dana Incorporated (Dana). 

Dheeraj Hinduja, Chairman of Switch Mobility Ltd, said: “I am delighted that we have broken ground on Switch Mobility’s new state-of-the art facility in Valladolid. With a rich automotive history, strong supply chain and availability of engineering talent, Valladolid is an ideal location for the facility, and I would like to express my appreciation to the national and regional governments for supporting the project. I am hopeful that this facility will address the increasing requirements in Europe, which is poised for significant growth in the EV Mobility segment.”  

Andy Palmer, Vice Chairman and CEO of Switch Mobility Ltd, commented: “The past year has been one of considerable progress for Switch. We have established a presence in the UK, India and now Continental Europe, have an order book of over 500 electric buses and have covered more than 50 million kilometres with our current electric products. Beginning the development of our site in Spain is a key milestone in our global growth strategy.”