National Capital 'charges' ahead with Electric bus

As Delhi battles with severe pollution levels, the state government on Thursday initiated the trials of zero-emission and noise-free electric feeder buses on a pilot basis to combat increasing pollution levels. Flagged off by Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot from Delhi Secretariat, these buses will run on route number 534 between Anand Vihar ISBT and Mehrauli Terminal.

These trials will be conducted for three months will enable the authorities to evaluate the efficiency of the buses in the standard road conditions of Delhi. With a view to promoting zero-emission electric vehicles, the Delhi government aims to induct e-buses in the public transport system.

Meanwhile, addressing the media, Gahlot said that tender to procure e-buses is in the final stage and will soon be tabled in the cabinet for approval. He also informed that his department is "fully prepared" to implement the odd-even scheme if the need arises to bring in more stringent measures, given the deteriorating air quality in the national Capital.

This is the third trial of e-buses of three different companies in the last two months. The e-bus, manufactured by Olectra, has a seating capacity of 35 persons and can run for 250 km on a single charge."The trials are aimed at checking the claims of the company. The routes in Delhi covered by public transport buses is on average around 220 km," Gahlot said. In previous trials, it was observed that the charging of e-buses of another company took a little longer time, he said. The bus is driven by a formidable lithium-ion iron phosphate battery providing an ability to run up to 300 km on a single charge.

The minister also said that the tender to procure 1,000 CNG buses has already been floated and the delivery is expected to begin by April-June next year.

Earlier in November, another e-bus was started on a trial basis that ran between Ambedkar Nagar and Inderpuri. Battery operated, these buses ran up to 200 km on a single charge.