Telma Drives Safer and Cleaner Mobility at Busworld Europe 2025

At Busworld 2025, Telma’s pavilion stood out for its strong emphasis on innovation and sustainability. The French braking specialist showcased its latest range of retarders designed to meet the changing demands of the global and Indian mobility markets.

Ariel Levy, CEO of Telma, expressed his excitement about what the company brought to the show. “We have a lot of innovation on display this year; hybridization, fine particle emission reduction, and of course, our MAN TGE vehicle, a prototype minibus equipped with a Telma retarder,” he said, highlighting the collaboration with MAN as a demonstration of how Telma’s products enhance safety and comfort in people transport.

Telma’s core mission, Ariel noted, is to meet the needs of end customers by guaranteeing both safety and comfort for passengers. The company’s retarders; renowned for providing smooth deceleration without wear; also help reduce energy consumption, CO₂ emissions, and fine particulate matter, making them vital for modern transport fleets.

“In people transportation, we need to guarantee safety and comfort to all passengers. Our products are becoming increasingly efficient through innovation. They are essential for OEMs who seek to improve performance and sustainability,” Ariel explained.

Addressing New-Age Challenges

As mobility shifts toward electrification, Telma is responding with solutions designed specifically for electric and hybrid vehicles. Ariel elaborated, “Many OEMs are asking us to develop products for electric vehicles. When batteries are fully charged, the motor cannot regenerate electricity; and therefore, cannot brake. In such cases, our electromagnetic retarders provide an independent and efficient braking solution.”

This development is critical as electric buses and coaches gain traction worldwide. Telma’s braking systems ensure consistent performance even when regenerative braking systems reach their limits, making them an indispensable safety complement.

Strengthening India’s Role

Telma’s growth story in India has been particularly striking. “In the last three years, between 2023 and 2025, we have doubled our business in India,” Ariel said proudly. “This amazing growth is thanks to our Indian team, who have worked very efficiently and courageously to develop the market.”

He pointed out that India remains one of Telma’s most promising markets, especially with regulatory moves like the Type 2A requirements in passenger transport that emphasize safety and emission control. “We are increasing our capacity in India because it’s a very strong market with excellent traction for us,” he added.

Telma’s India operations supply retarders to leading OEMs such as DICV (Daimler India Commercial Vehicles), which uses Telma systems in its BharatBenz buses. The company also serves a range of applications; from minibuses and coaches to specialized trucks and mining vehicles. “Today we are manufacturing and selling around 2,000 retarders in India, and our goal is to double that number within the next three years,” Ariel noted.

Expanding Horizons

Adding to Ariel’s insights, Sriram Muralidharan, Director, Telma Induction Brakes India, shed light on how the company’s local strategy is evolving. “As Ariel explained, we are currently at around 2,000 units and expect to multiply that within a year. We are exploring applications in mining operations in Odisha, LNG tractor-trailers with Blue Energy, and we are currently supplying for Ashok Leyland Rear engine coaches and working closely for all upcoming future projects,” Sriram said.

These partnerships, he emphasized, have reinforced Telma’s confidence in the Indian market. “All this is multiplying our confidence, and we are working hard to localize as much as possible. Localization is not just about cost; it’s about responsiveness, adaptability, and building long-term trust with our OEM partners,” he said.

From India to the World

Telma India is also looking beyond the domestic market. “We are closely monitoring opportunities in South Asian countries like Indonesia, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the UAE (Dubai),” Sriram revealed. “From India, we aim to serve as a hub for these regional markets, providing reliable and efficient retarders for a range of vehicle types.”

The combination of strong local manufacturing, deep engineering expertise, and close OEM collaboration positions Telma India as a key contributor to the group’s global strategy. Ariel reaffirmed, “Our main goal remains the same; to respond to our customers’ needs through continuous innovation. Whether it’s for conventional, hybrid, or electric vehicles, Telma retarders ensure safer journeys and cleaner transport everywhere.”

At Busworld 2025, Telma’s booth not only displayed technology; it demonstrated a vision. A vision of intelligent braking systems that enhance sustainability, safety, and passenger comfort in every journey. As Ariel summed it up, “Innovation is not just about technology; it’s about creating solutions that make mobility better for everyone.”