APSRTC to Roll Out 750 Electric Buses Under PM E-Bus Sewa Scheme
APSRTC officials said a Letter of Award (LoA) has already been issued to the selected operator, paving the way for the early induction of electric buses
Vijayawada: In a major boost to sustainable urban transport, Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) will soon roll out 750 electric buses across the state under the PM e-Bus Sewa scheme.
Andhra Pradesh has been allotted 750 electric buses by the Union ministry of housing and urban affairs, a move expected to significantly reduce pollution, improve urban air quality and modernise public transport services.
APSRTC officials said a Letter of Award (LoA) has already been issued to the selected operator, paving the way for the early induction of electric buses. Operations are expected to commence shortly, positioning Andhra Pradesh among the leading states adopting clean mobility solutions.
Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL), a subsidiary of Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) and a Government of India enterprise under the Union ministry of power, has played a key role in the programme. CESL recently concluded India’s largest mega tender for 10,900 electric buses under the PM E-DRIVE (PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement) scheme, drawing nationwide appreciation.
According to CESL estimates, the large-scale induction of electric buses will help reduce more than four million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions by replacing diesel-operated buses, besides delivering improvements in air quality, noise reduction and overall quality of life across major cities.
CESL and EESL chief executive officer Akhilesh Kumar Dixit thanked the Union ministries of heavy industries and power for their support, stating that transparent demand aggregation and competitive tendering have made electric buses a cost-effective alternative to fossil fuel-based transport. He said the initiative would help modernise public transport while advancing India’s net-zero target by 2070.
Under the PM E-DRIVE scheme, a total of 14,028 electric buses have been sanctioned nationwide, with tenders issued in the first phase for 10,900 buses covering major cities and state transport undertakings.