100 of 1,000 promised e-buses will be on the road by end of 2018: Govt
They have announced only two charging stations (in East Vinod Nagar and Bawana). For 1,000 ebuses, more stations will be required. The first 100 buses should be a pilot project to see if the maintenance is feasible. SEWA RAM, professor, School of Planning and Architecture
NEW DELHI : The Delhi government’s transport department is rushing to meet deadlines for the roll out of the first batch of 100 electric buses by the end of the year.
Though the government has directed the department to get the consultancy report on the phased procurement of these buses by April 30, the consultants for the project are yet to be appointed. Sources said the viability of these buses — in terms of routes and cost — is also low.
The government had announced to buy 1,000 electric buses in its 2018-19 budget. Along with these, the government had also announced the induction of 905 electric Metro feeder buses. With a fleet of 1,000 electric buses, Delhi will become the first city to run so many e-buses outside China.“the 1,000 buses will be rolled out in a phased manner, 100 of these are likely to be on the roads by the end of the year,” Delhi’s transport minister Kailash Gahlot said.
Sources said though the government is moving to meet deadlines, they are yet to decide the basics such as the routes and the type of buses to be procured.
Currently, there are two variants available — the one which can run for 200kms a day and the other which can only run for 100kms and would require a pit stop between the trips to charge batteries. However, each has its own set of problems.
With the 200km/per day variant longer trips can be planned, without having to stop the buses for charging, but the passenger capacity of the vehicles will be less. The 100km/day variant will allow a higher passenger capacity, but will have to make pit stops in depots for charging.
Sources also said the routes will have to be rationalised keeping in mind the high maintenance of the buses. For example, low-floor electric buses cannot be operated in rural and outer districts because of narrow cuts, potholes and harsh speed bumps.
Experts said e-buses will only succeed if the supporting infrastructure is developed. Multiple charging points will be needed. “They have announced only two charging stations (in East Vinod Nagar and Bawana). For 1,000 e-buses more stations will be required. The first 100 buses should be a pilot project to see if the maintenance is feasible,” said Prof Sewa Ram of School of Planning and Architecture.