Smog-hit Delhi to procure 500 electric buses

The Delhi government is looking to expedite procurement of 500 electric buses utilising the environment cess fund of around Rs 800 crore.

By Autocar Professional Bureau

23 Nov 2017

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On October 16, Tata Motors commenced trials of its 9-metre-long, 26-34-seater, electric bus in Guwahati.

Ashok Leyland’s Circuit, unveiled a year ago, is its – and India's – first locally made electric bus.

JBM Group’s Ecolife is a zero emission vehicle powered by lithium batteries and can do up to 200km daily.

This news is good news for manufacturers of electric buses in the country. The Delhi government is working to fast-track the procurement of 500 electric buses for use in the smog-hit capital city.

According to Outlook India, a meeting was held between automobile manufacturers and Kailash Gahlot, the Delhi transport minister yesterday.

It is understood that the discussions and presentation was carried out between the OEM representatives, department officials and the minister. The officials also inspected a Tata Motors electric bus, reaffirming the plan to expedite procurement process for the e-buses for plying in the National Capital Region.

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Images courtesy AAP/Twitter

"The process for procurement of the 500 buses has been expedited. Daily meetings are being held to work out the economics of the purchase and available technology to choose the best available and cost-effective buses," one of the officials said.

The chief minister of Delhi Arvind Kejriwal had last week announced the decision to purchase 500 e-buses under its ‘short-term plan’ or its one-year plan. According to the plan, the first procurement will see 500 low-floor, air-conditioned e-buses. The purchase will be made by the government using the environment cess fund of about Rs 800 crore.

Also read: Ashok Leyland readies for big play in electric mobility

JBM Solaris bullish on electric mobility in India, to invest Rs 300 crore in Ecolife zero emission bus

Tata Motors launches a raft of eco-friendly buses – electric, hybrid, fuel cell and LNG