Delhi: The Delhi government has announced a major expansion of its electric public transport network with plans to induct 2,800 air-conditioned low-floor electric buses under the Centre’s PM E-DRIVE scheme.
The announcement was made by Transport Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh on June 7, marking a significant step toward strengthening sustainable urban mobility in the capital.
Fleet Composition and Deployment Plan
The proposed new fleet will include:
- 1,400 nine-metre electric buses
- 1,400 twelve-metre electric buses
Officials said the decision was influenced by the strong performance of existing nine-metre electric buses, which are already serving feeder and local routes effectively.
Delhi’s Growing Electric Bus Network
The capital currently operates nearly 4,300 electric buses, making it one of the largest electric bus fleets in the country.
With the new additions, the government aims to expand the fleet to:
- Around 7,500 electric buses by the end of 2026
- Nearly 14,000 total buses by 2028–29
This expansion is expected to significantly improve last-mile connectivity and public transport accessibility across the city.
Further Expansion Under PM E-DRIVE Phase-II
In the next phase, the Delhi government is also planning to induct an additional 3,330 electric buses under PM E-DRIVE Phase-II, which includes:
- 500 seven-metre electric buses
The initiative aligns with the Centre’s broader push for clean mobility under the PM E-DRIVE scheme.
About PM E-DRIVE Scheme
The PM E-DRIVE scheme is the Government of India’s flagship programme aimed at:
- Accelerating electric vehicle adoption
- Expanding charging infrastructure
- Strengthening the EV manufacturing ecosystem
The scheme supports procurement of 14,028 electric buses across major Indian cities with populations above 40 lakh, including Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Surat, Bengaluru, Pune, and Hyderabad.
Infrastructure Development and Charging Support
The Transport Department stated that operational performance of existing nine-metre electric buses has been encouraging, especially on feeder and local routes.
To support the expanded fleet, the government also plans to enhance:
- Charging infrastructure at bus depots
- Power supply systems for large-scale EV operations
Towards Cleaner and Smarter Urban Transport
Officials emphasized that the expansion will improve:
- Urban connectivity
- Passenger convenience
- Environmental sustainability
The initiative is expected to accelerate Delhi’s transition toward a cleaner, more efficient public transport system powered by electric mobility.
