Tata Motors and Tata Power set up EV charging infra at fourth BEST depot in Mumbai  

Tata Motors has announced installation of the complete vehicle charging infrastructure at the Worli BEST (Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport) depot. The Worli depot will be the fourth BEST depot to be electrified, after the Backbay, Malvani and Shivaji Nagar depots, enabling wider reach of the electric buses in the city of Mumbai.

Tata Motors, which delivered the first 35 of 340 electric buses to BEST on August 7, 2021, says the deliveries are as per schedule.

The inauguration of the Worli depot was held in the presence of Aaditya Thackeray, Cabinet Minister of Tourism and Environment, Government of Maharashtra, Mrs. Kishori Pednekar, Mayor of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, Ashish Chemburkar, Chairman, BEST Undertaking committee, Lokesh Chandra, IAS, General Manager, BEST Undertaking, along with delegates from Government of Maharashtra, BEST and Tata Motors.

Commenting on the start of operations,  Lokesh Chandra, IAS, General Manager, BEST Undertaking, said, "We are delighted to start operations of electric buses from the Worli depot. The electrification of the fourth depot in Mumbai will enable wider reach of the environment-friendly electric buses and also enable newer routes for the benefit of the passengers. BEST stays committed to the electrification of its fleet and is pleased to be associated with Tata Motors in the feat."

Rohit Srivastava, Vice-President, Product Line – Buses, Tata Motors said, “We are happy to announce the completion of the installation of the complete vehicle charging infrastructure at the Worli BEST depot in association with Tata Power under the unique ‘One Tata’ initiative. Tata Motors has been at the forefront of offering the best technology for alternate fuel and been the leading manufacturer of electric buses in India. We are proud to be associated with BEST for the deployment, maintenance and operations of the complete charging infrastructure along with the supply of the electric buses.”

In a series of tweets yesterday, Thackeray said: ”This completes our phase 1 of 386 electric buses and now we move towards phase 2 of 1900 electric buses for Mumbai. All of Mumbai’s current fleet of 386 buses will be powered by renewable energy. All new buses will be only electric, 1900 buses purchase tender launched and 200 electric double decker buses soon. By 2023, 50% and, by 2027 we aim to have 100% electric bus fleet for Mumbai. Likewise, all urban agglomerates from Maharashtra are committed to transition to clean transport, powered by clear energy. Thane, Navi Mumbai, Pune, Sambhajinagar, Nagpur are committed to have electric bus fleets from now on and @MahaEnvCC is assisting these cities actively.  We intend to join the clean race for a better future for our planet.”