Driving Towards a Cleaner Future: The Promise of E-Buses

The transition to e-buses represents a remarkable step towards a clean and green future in India’s public transportation sector. Historically, the sector has relied heavily on diesel buses, with only a minute fraction being electric. However, recent interventions and partnerships signal a promising shift towards a cleaner future, paving the way for a more sustainable and environmentally friendly mode of transport. E-buses come with the advantages of reduced noise and air pollution, better quality of life, a greener future, and better utilisation of resources with minimal environmental impact. The emphasis on electrifying buses over 2 or 3-wheelers is rooted in the idea of incentivising public mobility instead of private mobility.

Electrification of Public Transport

India's public bus transport system relies on around 90 State Transport Utilities (STUs)/State Transport Corporations (STCs), which collectively operate approximately 150,000 buses. These buses serve a crucial role in catering to the transportation needs of millions of passengers daily, with STUs managing almost 98% of the fleet. Despite facing financial challenges, the sector is committed to providing accessible services, even though most STUs operate at a loss due to low tariffs aimed at ensuring affordability for the lowest socioeconomic strata. Despite recovering a significant portion of their costs through ticket sales, STUs still rely on government grants to sustain operations. A single bus emits about 822 gm of carbon dioxide per km, which implies that the 110,000 buses in the public transport sector together account for about 90 tons of carbon dioxide per km. Many ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) buses are also approaching the end of their life cycle, providing an opportunity to transition to greener alternatives.

What measures to take for Faster Adoption of E-Buses?

India's push towards widespread electrification in public transport, taking cues from the successful Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) model, is pivotal as the country strives to achieve its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Accelerating the transition to green energy entails various strategies, including upgrading charging infrastructure, government interventions, reduced battery costs, increased investments, and open access to energy.

Government subsidies, such as those under the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (FAME-II) scheme, help alleviate initial e-bus expenses. The scheme has been restructured to promote purchasing ‘buses as a service’, with a significant budget allocation. These subsidies, coupled with the authorisation of Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL) to aggregate demand and procure e-buses, led to a push towards greener transportation. Additionally, government initiatives like the PM e-bus Sewa Scheme, launched to deploy 10,000 electric buses across cities, aim to drive green mobility and garner state support for the electric transition.

External support, such as the $ 150 million commitment from the US government, Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), and philanthropic organisations, underscores international backing for India's green energy transition. The Indo-US joint agreement emphasised the commitment to establish a Payment Security Mechanism (PSM) to mitigate risks for private sector investments in STUs by ensuring timely payments, thus fostering investor confidence. Furthermore, initiatives to provide e-bus drivers with open access to renewable energy aim to reduce tariffs and incentivize carbon credit utilisation, further bolstering the transition to electric mobility.

Challenges and Solutions

Despite the many benefits of e-buses, challenges remain in scaling up their deployment. One major hurdle is the upfront cost of purchasing e-buses, which can be higher than conventional diesel buses. However, this cost disparity is gradually diminishing as battery prices continue to decline and economies of scale are achieved through mass production. Additionally, investments in charging infrastructure are essential to support the widespread adoption of e-buses, ensuring adequate charging stations are available to meet the growing demand.

As we look to the future, the potential of e-buses to transform urban transportation systems and mitigate climate change cannot be overstated. By investing in e-buses and the necessary supporting infrastructure, policymakers, transit agencies, and communities can accelerate the transition towards a cleaner, more sustainable future. Furthermore, the adoption of e-buses can create new opportunities for innovation, job creation, and economic development, while also improving public health and quality of life for millions of people around the world.

The Path Forward

E-buses represent a compelling solution to the environmental and social challenges associated with conventional diesel buses. By harnessing the power of electricity to drive public transportation, we can pave the way towards greener, more efficient cities and a healthier planet for future generations. As we continue to drive towards a cleaner future, let us embrace the promise of e-buses as a catalyst for positive change in the way we move people and goods.