The Maharashtra transport minister told the Legislative Council that the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation will convert its entire fleet of 22,000 buses to EVs by 2037, which would make the state the first in the country to commit to a complete transition of its state-run bus network to electric power. He noted that about 800 buses are already electric and that the target has been moved forward to align with the national vision for a full shift to electric mobility by 2047.

The minister said an earlier plan to procure 5,000 diesel buses annually for five years has been significantly revised. Beyond the 8,000 diesel buses currently in progress, all future additions to the fleet will be electric, and the government has devised a scheme to convert existing diesel buses to electric drivetrains.

The statement outlined measures to support the transition, including the use of solar power to recharge charging stations and thereby reduce reliance on the traditional power grid. The state EV Policy 2026 is reported to provide monetary incentives for electric vehicle purchases, including tax exemptions and toll discounts, and existing toll waivers already apply on major arterial routes such as the Mumbai–Pune Expressway, the Nagpur–Mumbai Samruddhi Mahamarg and the Atal Setu. The policy also aims to encourage private participation in charging networks.

The government plans to develop charging stations every 25 km on highways, extend financial support and promote training courses on charging technology. Officials framed the move as part of a broader effort to accelerate electric mobility, noting that Delhi currently has the largest electric bus fleet in the country with over 4,200 buses and its own expansion targets through 2028. Officials said the transition will require phased infrastructure deployment and sustained investment.