10,000 Electric Buses Set To Be Seen On The Streets Of India



On the recent Wednesday, the federal government of India gave the green light to a substantial investment of nearly $7 billion aimed at implementing an ambitious nationwide initiative. This initiative is focused on providing major Indian cities with a comprehensive fleet of electric buses. The primary objectives of this plan are twofold: first, to combat the pervasive issue of air pollution caused by vehicular emissions, which has been a significant contributor to the consistently poor air quality in Indian urban areas, and second, to contribute to the reduction of the country’s overall carbon emissions.

During a press briefing held last week, Information Minister Anurag Thakur provided insights into the intricacies of this visionary program. It is designed to foster a dynamic partnership between the private and public sectors. This collaborative effort will encompass not only the procurement of electric buses but also the establishment of the essential charging infrastructure needed to support these vehicles.

The surge in demand for electric buses had been gaining momentum, prompting Prime Minister Modi to consolidate these efforts into a centralized, cohesive plan. As part of this initiative, the government has invited companies specializing in electric bus manufacturing to participate in competitive bidding for government contracts. The allocated fund for this monumental endeavor stands at a staggering 2 million lakh rupees, equivalent to approximately $7 billion US dollars. In addition to the electric bus project, the cabinet also gave the green light to seven railway tracking projects, collectively valued at 3.25 million lakh rupees. These projects are poised to enhance connectivity and mobility across nine different states.

Across the seas in the United States, a significant financial boost of $1.7 billion, originating from the infrastructure spending package signed into law by President Joe Biden in 2021, has been earmarked to propel the manufacturing and acquisition of 1,700 electric or low-emission buses for cities in 46 states. This initiative is just one facet of a broader strategy aimed at electrifying a substantial portion of the country’s urban transportation network.

Under the aegis of the Department of Transportation (DoT), which has been at the forefront of these efforts, approximately $8 billion worth of grant proposals have been received. Over the next three years, it is expected that cities will be awarded a total of $5 billion in grants dedicated to the development of electric transit infrastructure. These multifaceted endeavors on both sides of the globe exemplify a concerted global push towards greener, more sustainable transportation solutions, marking significant steps towards a cleaner and more environmentally friendly future for urban transportation.