Karnataka aims to have 35,000 electric buses by 2030: Transport Minister B Sriramulu

To reduce emissions and pollution levels in the state, Karnataka aims to convert 35,000 buses into electric buses by 2030. Karnataka Transport Minister B Sriramulu stated that there is a demand to make all buses electric, keeping in mind environmental and pollution-related concerns. With diesel prices increasing, the state is incurring losses. The states endeavour to convert all the buses to electric buses by 2030. According to the Minister, the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) does not purchase electric buses but is operating them on a contract basis.  BMTC under the Smart City Project is operating 90 electric buses since December 2021. 

"There are about 35,000 buses, there is a demand to make all buses electric, keeping in mind environment and pollution-related concerns. With diesel prices increasing, we are incurring losses. We want all our buses to become electric and we start making profits. Discussions are on in this regard," Sriramulu said.

"It is our endeavour that all our buses become electric by 2030. We will make all efforts so that all the 35,000 buses will be converted to electric by 2030," he said, adding that diesel buses incur a cost of Rs 68.53 per km. 

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He said, BMTC under the Smart City Project is operating 90 electric buses since December 2021 under 'Gross Cost Contract' for 12 years, and the per kilometer (km) cost of these buses is Rs 64.67. Under the central government's Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid and) Electric vehicles - FAME II scheme, 300 electric buses have been ordered, and out of the 75 buses have begun operation since August 15, 2022, and the per km cost of these buses is Rs 61.90.

Further, under the Centre's FAME II scheme an order has been issued on August 17, 2022, to operate 921 electric buses through Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL); per km cost of these buses is Rs 54, he noted.

(With inputs from PTI)