Delhi to get 500 minibuses by next year: Minister

New Delhi: Delhi govt is planning to induct a fleet of seven-metre electric buses, which are aimed at improving connectivity in narrow lanes and densely populated residential areas where larger buses cannot operate.“About 500 seven-metre electric buses are expected to be delivered by next year in phases. Around hundred buses may be delivered by the end of this year. Govt aims to build one of the largest and cleanest electric bus fleets in the world,” transport minister Pankaj Singh said.Officials said the proposed seven-metre buses would be significantly smaller than the existing nine-metre DEVi buses and metro feeder buses operating in the city.

While the nine-metre DEVi buses are deployed on link roads, feeder routes linking metro stations with arterial roads, the new compact buses are being designed to navigate narrow and congested residential colonies. The move is aimed at strengthening last-mile connectivity while also reducing vehicular emissions.Senior officials said the seven-metre buses would have a seating capacity of 21 passengers and be powered by a 200kW electric motor coupled with a 200kWh lithium-ion battery pack.

The buses are expected to offer a driving range of around 160 km on a full charge and will support fast charging technology, enabling a complete recharge in about two hours.Despite their compact size, the buses will be equipped with features similar to the existing DEVi fleet, including low-floor entry, air-conditioning, CCTV cameras, panic buttons, GPS tracking and real-time passenger information systems.Delhi currently has a bus fleet of 5,636 buses, of which more than 4,300 are electric.

The electric fleet includes over 1,200 nine-metre DEVi buses, around 2,300 12-metre buses and nearly 100 feeder buses.Officials said many of these buses would be covered under the PM e-DRIVE scheme, which is being implemented by the Union ministry of heavy industries to accelerate the adoption of electric mobility through incentives for electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers, buses and trucks.