Delhi To Get 500 Mini e-Buses To Improve Last-Mile Metro Connectivity

Last Updated:February 26, 2026, 17:41 IST

Delhi government has ordered 500 seven-metre electric buses under PM e-Drive scheme to boost last-mile connectivity and reduce pollution, with phased deliveries by 2027–28

In a bid to strengthen last-mile connectivity, the Delhi government is set to introduce a fleet of compact electric buses designed to navigate narrow streets and residential colonies more efficiently than existing metro feeder services.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the government has placed an order for 500 seven-metre-long electric buses under the Centre’s PM e-Drive scheme. The smaller buses will operate on routes where larger vehicles cannot be deployed, improving access to densely populated and congested areas while also contributing to lower pollution levels.

“We have ordered 500 seven-metre buses for Delhi in the first batch. We expect to receive these buses in phases by 2027-28. In the coming months, Delhi’s bus fleet will become one of the largest and cleanest electric bus networks in the world," Gupta said.

Transport Minister Pankaj Singh said the tendering process has been completed and the first batch of buses is expected to hit the roads soon, with deliveries scheduled in phases.

Despite their smaller size, the seven-metre buses will offer facilities similar to the existing nine-metre electric buses, including low-floor entry for easy boarding, air-conditioning, CCTV cameras, panic buttons, GPS tracking and a real-time passenger information system.

The Delhi Transport Department has also submitted a proposal to Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL) for the procurement of 3,330 additional electric buses. The proposal includes 500 seven-metre buses, 2,330 nine-metre buses and 500 twelve-metre buses. Officials said the seven-metre buses will primarily serve narrow roads and improve last-mile connectivity, while nine-metre buses will operate on feeder and shorter routes. The twelve-metre buses will be deployed on major corridors and high-density routes.

At present, Delhi operates a fleet of 5,336 government buses, including more than 4,000 electric buses. The fleet comprises over 1,200 nine-metre DEVi buses, around 2,000 twelve-metre buses and about 100 feeder buses. The number of electric buses on city roads is expected to cross 5,000 by March, with plans to expand the total fleet to 13,760 buses by 2028.

The PM e-DRIVE scheme, implemented by the Union Ministry of Heavy Industries from October 2024 to March 2026 with a budget outlay of Rs 10,900 crore, aims to promote electric mobility through financial incentives for electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers, buses and trucks.

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