Himachal Government approves purchase of 300 E-Buses for greener transport
In a significant move toward eco-friendly public transportation, the state government has approved the purchase of 300 electric buses (e-buses) for the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC). These buses will be deployed on both local city routes and long-distance intercity routes. The new fleet will consist of Type-1 and Type-3 e-buses, specially designed to cover long distances efficiently. Once fully charged, these buses will be capable of traveling between 200 and 250 kilometers. The estimated cost for each bus is around ₹1.25 crore.
After getting a nod from the HRTC board of directors, the state government swiftly sanctioned the procurement. Currently, the corporation’s vehicle purchase committee is working on finalizing the technical specifications. The plan is to introduce Type-1 buses for short-distance, local routes in cities like Shimla and Dharamshala, where such buses are already in use. For long-distance routes, including those that connect with neighboring cities like Chandigarh, Delhi, and Ambala, Type-3 e-buses will be rolled out.
The purchase will happen in phases, with 100 e-buses to be acquired in the first stage. Along with the fleet, the necessary charging infrastructure will also be developed. Under the central and state government’s scrappage policy, these electric buses will replace older vehicles that have served for 15 years. Additionally, e-buses will be introduced to replace buses that have hit zero book value.
Type-1 e-buses will be able to travel 80 to 100 kilometers on a single charge, while the more powerful Type-3 e-buses will run between 200 and 250 kilometers. Moreover, the charging time for Type-3 buses will be shorter compared to Type-1.
With the state government’s approval, the purchase process is now in full swing, bringing the state one step closer to a greener and more sustainable public transport system.
