Uttar Pradesh to get 1,800 Electric Buses under PM e-Bus Sewa Scheme

Lucknow, India (Urban Transport News): Uttar Pradesh is poised to witness a substantial expansion of its electric bus fleet, with the allocation of 1800 e-Buses under the PM e-Bus Scheme. This initiative is a significant stride towards promoting clean and sustainable public transportation in the state.

The distribution plan for these e-Buses is as follows:

- 150 e-Buses earmarked for each of the major cities: Lucknow, Kanpur, and Ghaziabad.
- 100 e-Buses each allocated to Agra, Jhansi, Varanasi, Meerut, Prayagraj, Bareilly, Aligarh, Moradabad, Gorakhpur, Firozabad, and Gautam Buddha Nagar.
- 50 e-Buses designated for Ayodhya, Shahjahanpur, Mathura, Rampur, and Saharanpur.

It's worth noting that Uttar Pradesh already boasts a fleet of 740 e-Buses operating across various cities in the state. This substantial increase in the number of e-Buses underscores the government's commitment to reducing pollution and endorsing environmentally friendly modes of transportation.

The introduction of additional e-Buses not only contributes to cleaner air and a healthier environment but also bolsters the overall public transportation infrastructure in Uttar Pradesh. It signifies a proactive approach in adopting sustainable mobility solutions and reducing the carbon footprint within the state.

The Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) is taking a prominent role in this endeavor by incorporating 250 electric buses in its fleet during the initial phase. The corporation has reached out to the Centre, seeking a 40% grant under the FAME-II (Faster Adoption and Manufacture of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles) scheme to support the acquisition of these e-Buses.

The utilization of electric vehicles (EVs) is being encouraged not only by the central government but also by state governments across the country. Substantial subsidies are being offered to EV manufacturers under the FAME scheme, and buyers can also benefit from subsidies of up to Rs. 1 lakh, further incentivizing the adoption of EVs.

Furthermore, Uttar Pradesh is gearing up for the establishment of manufacturing centers for flex hybrid vehicles. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has highlighted the immense potential for flex hybrid vehicles in the state, with an expectation that around 25% of all registered electric vehicles in India will be registered in Uttar Pradesh.

Several cities in Uttar Pradesh, including Kanpur, Lucknow, Noida, Ghaziabad, and Meerut, are emerging as major manufacturing hubs for electric vehicles and lithium-ion batteries, reinforcing the state's commitment to promoting eco-friendly transportation solutions.

India's electric vehicle market is witnessing active participation from various manufacturers, with Tata Motors leading the way in terms of electric bus manufacturing. Tata Group has secured tenders to supply nearly two dozen electric buses to Delhi, West Bengal, and Karnataka. Other prominent players in the electric bus manufacturing space include Ashok Leyland, Olectra, and JBM.

As the adoption of electric buses continues to gain momentum in India, these efforts in Uttar Pradesh align with the broader vision of transitioning to cleaner and more sustainable transportation options. The commitment to expanding the electric bus fleet, coupled with the establishment of manufacturing centers, underscores the state's dedication to promoting eco-friendly mobility solutions and reducing the environmental impact of transportation.