New Delhi, June 23 -- The ministry of road transport is preparing to pilot a new generation of luxury electric buses capable of recharging in under two minutes, with the aim of transforming long-distance public transport.

Developed by Tata Motors Ltd and EV startup EKA Mobility, the buses will operate at highway speeds of 100 to 120 km per hour on routes such as Delhi-Jaipur and Bangalore-Chennai, according to two people familiar with the matter.

The buses, designed to seat up to 135 passengers in fully air-conditioned cabins, will incorporate "flash charging" technology developed by companies including Siemens Ltd and Hitachi Ltd. The technology enables rapid battery top-ups, within as little as 20 to 120 seconds, at charging stations ...