DTC proposes to get 1,000 electric buses

If DTC’s plan is implemented, Delhi could have a fleet of 2,000 electric buses – the highest globally, barring China. Delhi now has 5,521 state-run CNG buses under the cluster scheme and DTC.

The Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) on Thursday said it has prepared a proposal to add 1,000 e-buses to its fleet. The state government has already begun the process to procure another 1,000 electric buses under the cluster scheme.

The Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) on Thursday said it has prepared a proposal to add 1,000 e-buses to its fleet.(Sonu Mehta/HT PHOTO)

If DTC’s plan is implemented, Delhi could have a fleet of 2,000 electric buses – the highest globally, barring China. Delhi now has 5,521 state-run CNG buses under the cluster scheme and DTC.

“On Wednesday, we submitted a fresh proposal to the Centre to include DTC in its FAME-II scheme. We have kept a request of 1000 e-buses. While 900 of these e-buses will be used for public transport within Delhi, 100 e-buses will be used for inter-state travel,” said Manoj Kumar, managing director, DTC.

The Centre’s FAME II scheme, which emphasises electrification of public transportation, including shared transport, does not incentivise private buyers for electric four-wheelers. The scheme plans to support a million electric two-wheelers, 500,000 e-three-wheelers, 55,000 four-wheelers and 7,000 buses.

Kumar, however, said it was yet to be seen the final number of e-buses that the Centre approves.

The government’s ongoing project of inducting 1,000 e-buses is already underway. It is trying to roll out 37 of the total 1000 low-floor AC electric buses by December. The first phase of setting up charging infrastructure at depots for 1,000 electric buses will be completed by November.