Delhi to get 2800 more e-buses

TNNNew Delhi: Delhi govt iwill induct 2,800 air-conditioned low-floor electric buses under the Centre’s PM E-Drive scheme, transport minister Pankaj Kumar Singh said on Sunday.The fleet will have 1,400 nine-metre and 1,400 twelve-metre pure electric buses. “The planned induction of 2,800 new electric buses will significantly strengthen connectivity, improve commuter convenience and accelerate our transition towards sustainable mobility,” Singh said.Officials said the decision builds on the operational experience of nine-metre electric buses that are already running. These buses have performed well on feeder routes and local connectivity services, prompting govt to expand their deployment alongside larger buses that cater to high-demand corridors.Senior officials said the buses will arrive this year in phases.The transport department said the bus procurement forms part of a broader strategy to modernise Delhi’s public transport system and increase the share of zero-emission vehicles. Govt has set a target of expanding the city’s overall bus fleet to nearly 14,000 by 2028-29 to improve coverage.Delhi currently operates about 4,300 electric buses, one of the largest such fleets in the country. Govt wants to raise the number to about 7,500 by the end of this year.In the next phase, Delhi govt is also pursuing the induction of 3,330 additional electric buses under PM E-DRIVE Phase-II. This proposal includes 500 seven-metre electric buses, which are expected to play a key role in enhancing last-mile connectivity and feeder services in residential colonies, rural pockets and underserved areas, the transport department said.Officials said the expansion of the fleet will be supported by the development of charging and power infrastructure at bus depots.