Ambassador EV Makes Its Debut, Will Get BaaS and ADAS
The Hindustan Ambassador is one of the most iconic cars that India has seen. Now, because of the progression of the automotive industry, the Ambassador is no longer relevant. However, recently it has been reported that a fully functional electric Ambassador taxi prototype was unveiled in Kolkata by Jadavpur University. This Ambassador EV conversion has been done in collaboration with Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC). What makes it more interesting is that it will be offered with the Battery As A Service program as well as ADAS.
This particular Hindustan Ambassador EV conversion project is not like other modern EV projects that focus on building completely new electric vehicles. With this new vehicle, the aim is to convert existing diesel-powered Ambassador taxis into fully electric vehicles. This will help in facilitating a practical and affordable solution to India's transition to electric mobility. It will also help owners who do not want to scrap their existing vehicles.
The newly unveiled prototype is based on the famous Ambassador 1.5DZ diesel taxi. This vehicle has always been a common sight on the streets of Kolkata for decades. The electric conversion project is currently being undertaken as part of a research initiative which has been titled Digital Twin Development to Study Feasibility of Retrofitted E-Mobility and Technical Requirements for its Sustainability. The three-year project started in January 2025 and is being funded through DVC's research and development program.
According to the team which is developing this Ambassador EV, the biggest challenge is to replace the internal combustion engine and keep most of its parts original. So, instead of completely removing the transmission system, the engineers have developed an electric motor-drive setup that works with the existing gearbox through an automatic shifting and motor-control strategy.
With this approach, the conversion cost, when compared to conventional EV conversions, is lower. The retrofitted Ambassador EV now features an electric motor, an intelligent controller, advanced sensors, IoT-enabled monitoring systems, and even air conditioning. The prototype has already undergone initial testing in controlled conditions and has delivered promising results.
It is expected to offer a driving range of around 200 km on a single charge under city driving conditions. The running cost is also expected to remain comparable to other electric vehicles in the same segment. This will help in making the purchase and operation of this Ambassador EV more cost-efficient and practical.
Another one of the most interesting highlights of this project is its swappable battery setup. The battery modules have been specially designed, keeping Indian operating conditions in mind. These include water-logging issues commonly faced in cities like Kolkata. The team building this EV has highlighted that battery swapping reduces downtime for commercial taxi operators and makes EV ownership more practical.
The project has been developed around a battery-swapping business model from the beginning. As a result, the battery packs can be quickly removed and replaced, helping commercial operators keep their vehicles on the road for longer periods.
In addition to battery swapping, the team has also revealed that the final production-ready version will feature modern technologies such as Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) as well. Professor Amitava Gupta of Jadavpur University stated that by the end of this year, a proper product equipped with advanced safety and driver-assistance features will be ready.
As per the team building the Ambassador EV, the cost of converting an existing diesel vehicle into an EV, including the retained automotive manual transmission system, will be around Rs 4 to 5 lakh. Additionally, two swappable battery packs will cost another Rs 2-2.5 lakh. This means the total conversion cost could range between Rs 6 lakh and Rs 7.5 lakh, and it will depend on the final battery configuration.
Lastly, the upcoming electric Ambassador will also be offered with the Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) model. With this ownership model, buyers will not have to purchase the battery pack outright. Instead, they can buy the vehicle at a lower upfront cost and subscribe to the battery through a monthly rental or per-kilometre payment plan.
This model will make the retrofitted Ambassador EV much more affordable. It will especially become very cost-efficient for taxi operators, fleet owners, and private buyers who want to switch to electric mobility without spending a large amount upfront.
The prototype was officially unveiled on May 29, 2026, at DVC headquarters in Kolkata by DVC Chairman Suresh Kumar. Jadavpur University Vice-Chancellor Professor Chiranjib Bhattacharjee and other dignitaries were also present at the event.
It has been reported that the Ambassador will now be going through extensive real-world testing, performance validation, and modifications, after which it will be submitted for certification from the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI). Once certified, it will move closer towards sale.