BEST signs contract with Olectra to run 2,100 e-buses in Mumbai

Mumbai's nodal transport agency, the BEST has granted the tender for the supply of 2100 E-buses to Hyderabad-based Olectra Greentech. As per the reports, it is a mega ₹3,675 crore project that aims to supply 2,100 electric buses to Mumbai in the next 12 months. These new buses will be procured by Evey Trans Private Limited (EVEY) who received its Letter of Award (LoA) by BEST. EVEY is a subsidiary of Olectra that will be tasked to undertake the maintainance and logistics of these buses.

The newly ordered buses are about 12-m long vehicles, that can accomodate about 35 passengers and 24 standees, for about 200 km on a single charge. These smart buses will also have modern amenities such as, wheelchair access, ITMS based on GPS technology, panic buttons and air suspension. As per officials, the current ₹6 fare will be levied for an AC electric bus ride for 5km.

According to reports, BEST currently has 386 e-buses in its fleet of 3,337 buses. The nodal agency envisions a 100% electric fleet goal by 2027, with an aim to achieve the same, a short-term goal of 50% electric operations by 2023 has been set. Under this short term goal, over 2,000 electric buses (including 900 double-deckers) will start operations by the end of 2023.

As per the reports, Mumbai is presently the fourth largest registrant of electric vehicles in India, after Delhi, Bengaluru and Chennai. It is also the fourth on the index of e-scooters popularity as well.

Purportedly, the city has a total of 7,680 EVs, including 2,237 e-cars and 4,618 e-bikes. This number is set to grow higher, once over 1,500 charging stations are made operational in Mumbai.