The Indian government has announced its intention to issue tenders for 3,000 electric buses as part of the ‘PM-ebus Sewa’ scheme in the coming week. This initiative was unveiled during a press conference at the Urban Mobility India Conference and Expo 2023 by Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, Hardeep Singh Puri. The scheme aims to provide 10,000 electric buses to 169 cities through a public-private partnership (PPP) model and was approved by the Union Cabinet in August with an investment of Rs 57,000 crore.
Tendering Process
According to Manoj Joshi, the secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, the Request for Proposal (RFP) has been finalized, and internal approvals are being sought. The ministry has received a proposal for an additional 2,000 buses from the Uttar Pradesh government.
Objective of the PM-eBus Sewa Scheme
The PM-eBus Sewa scheme has been introduced to promote the adoption of electric buses in public transport as a means to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, supporting India’s decarbonization goals. Despite the approval of 7,210 electric buses under the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles (FAME-II) scheme, only 2,435 had been put into operation as of August, as reported by the Ministry of Heavy Industries. This initiative aims to accelerate the transition to electric public transportation.
Current State of Electric Buses in India
As of 2014, India has witnessed the sale of 816,356 buses across various segments, with electric buses accounting for just 0.63% of this total, equivalent to 5,124 units, according to the VAHAN portal of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).
Expansion of Delhi-Meerut RRTS
In addition to the electric bus initiative, the government is expanding the Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS). Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first section of the 82-kilometer RRTS, and the next segment is expected to open by January-February next year. The National Capital Region Transport Corporation plans to open new sections every six months, with the entire corridor set to be ready by 2025. This expansion will enhance public transportation options and connectivity in the region.
