Uttar Pradesh begins trial run of zero-emission electric buses

Uttar Pradesh has, on Tuesday, started the trial run of zero-emission buses before these would be launched in 14 cities across the state. The initiative is under the government of India’s phase II of the FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles) scheme that is aimed at providing incentives for electric vehicles in the country.

The scheme, part of the National Mission for Electric Mobility, has an outlay of Rs 10,000 crore in its second phase, which started on April 1, 2019.  

In Uttar Pradesh, 600 such buses will be run by the Centre and 100 by the state. With the intention of promoting the buses, fares will be the same as ordinary buses despite the greater level of conveniences offered by zero-emission buses. The added conveniences provided by these buses include ultra-silent air conditioned cabins, fast charging liquid cooled Lithium batteries, height adjustable power seats for drivers, wheelchair access with ramp provision, CCTV-enabled, LED destination boards, public address systems, panic button for passengers and fire detection and suppression system. They are also protected against noise and air pollution.

The trial run is to be on 10 routes in Lucknow for one month. The shortest route is for 50 minutes while the longest of two hours.

While 11 cities, including Lucknow, Allahabad and Varanasi, will have buses run by the Centre, three other cities— Gorakhpur, Shahjahanpur and Mathura—will have buses financed and run by the state government.

The total outlay for the scheme in UP is Rs 965 crore, and each bus operator has been provided with an incentive of Rs 45 lakh.

The government, through an e-tender process, has chosen the Gurgaon-based PMI Electro Mobility Solutions Private Limited as the manufacturer for the buses. In case the buses incur loss, the state’s transport corporation will cover the losses.

The state is set to have the highest number of electric buses in the country.

The nine-metre e-buses, easy to drive in congested localities, can travel for a minimum distance of 63,000 kilometres a year and will not emit the 22,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions a year that would have been done by a similar number of normal, diesel run buses. They will create 2,000 jobs in the state.