The Centre plans to procure fourteen thousand twenty-eight electric buses (e-buses) in multiple tranches instead of a single large order, as some states have yet to submit their detailed requirements.

The procurement is part of the Ministry of Heavy Industries' plan to allocate around 40 per cent of the Rs 109 billion PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) scheme for boosting electric public transport.

A total demand for fifteen thousand four hundred e-buses has been received from seven states, including Gujarat, Telangana, Karnataka and Delhi, with Delhi alone requesting around two thousand five hundred units. The phased approach aims to ensure flexibility and better coordination among participating states.

The ministry had set aside Rs 43.91 billion to subsidise the purchase of fourteen thousand twenty-eight electric buses, promoting affordable and eco-friendly public transportation systems. By staggering procurement, the government hopes to maintain efficiency while accommodating evolving state-level demands.

The initiative is expected to significantly advance India’s transition towards sustainable urban mobility and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, aligning with the country's broader climate action commitments.

Source: Business Standard