Delhi leads India in electric bus deployment

Delhi has claimed the top spot in India for deploying electric buses in the city. The announcement comes shortly after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal flagged off 400 new electric buses from the IP State Depot on September 5.These buses are part of a subsidy scheme for a total of 921 buses. The Central government provided a subsidy of Rs 4.17 billion for electric buses, with the Delhi government committing Rs 36.74 billion. Currently, Delhi boasts the highest number of electric buses in the country, with 800 in operation. The government's goal is to have over 8,000 electric buses on the city's roads by the end of 2025.Chief Minister Kejriwal highlighted that after 2025, more than 80% of Delhi's buses, or 8,280 buses, will be electric. He emphasised that this move positions Delhi as a global leader in electric bus adoption.The recent addition of 400 new low-floor AC electric buses aims to enhance public transportation in Delhi. By the end of 2023, the city plans to have 1,900 electric buses in operation, making it one of the world's leading cities in terms of electric bus deployment.These electric buses are expected to significantly reduce CO2 emissions, contributing to a greener and cleaner Delhi. Key features of these buses include zero pollution, a driving range of 225 kilometres on a single charge, ventilation and air conditioning systems, accessibility features for differently-abled passengers, safety features such as CCTV cameras and panic buttons, live tracking, and more.The Delhi government has also invested in power infrastructure for electric bus depots to support the growing fleet of electric buses.