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Chennai's New Low-Floor Electric Buses Set To Enter Service By April 2025 To Combat Pollution
Chennai has recently welcomed new low-floor buses, with plans to introduce electric buses by April 2025. This development has sparked excitement among the city's residents. The introduction of these buses aims to address the city's traffic congestion and air pollution issues effectively.
Orders have been placed to replace Chennai's existing government buses with new ones, and all ordered buses have been delivered. The low-floor buses are being introduced in phases across Chennai and are now operational. Meanwhile, updates on electric bus orders have been announced, with operations set to begin in April 2025.
The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation plans to acquire 500 low-floor electric buses through an agreement with the World Bank. Out of these, 100 will be air-conditioned, while the remaining 400 will not. These buses are currently under production and will be available by April 2025.
The cost of operating a diesel bus is ₹116 per kilometer, whereas an electric bus costs ₹77.14 per kilometer, and an electric AC bus costs ₹80.86 per kilometer. The transport department believes that electric buses will significantly reduce expenses for the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation compared to diesel buses.
Ashok Leyland and Switch Mobility have been awarded contracts to manufacture these buses. Subsidiaries of Switch Mobility, including O.H.M, eVEY Trans, and Aeroglide Automobiles, are also involved in this project. These companies are responsible for manufacturing and maintaining the buses for 12 years.
The maintenance agreement includes replacing worn-out parts and overall upkeep of the buses. The Tamil Nadu government will only hire drivers and collect fares, while private companies handle cleaning and maintenance as per the agreement.
Operational Plans and Funding
The new electric buses can travel up to 180 km on a single charge, making them suitable for city routes in Chennai. The Chennai Metropolitan Transport Corporation plans to introduce these buses in areas like Perambur, Poonamallee, Tambaram, Royapuram, and nearby depots.
The total cost of these buses is ₹959 crore, with the World Bank funding 70% and the state government covering 30%. The Tamil Nadu government aims to repay the World Bank loan using profits from this bus service. Electric buses are expected to be more profitable than diesel ones, facilitating quicker loan repayment.
Environmental Impact and Future Prospects
India faces significant air pollution challenges, with Chennai being no exception. The introduction of electric buses is crucial in combating this issue. These 500 electric buses serve as a trial run; if successful, there is potential for all buses to transition to electric in the future.
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