Indian states seek 10,000 additional e-buses under PM E-DRIVE scheme

Several Indian states are requesting more than 10,000 additional electric buses under the PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) scheme. This demand follows the initial plan for 14,028 units and exceeds original state estimates. Expected formal requests for additional vehicles are anticipated from West Bengal, Delhi, Telangana, and Karnataka, while Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh have expressed interest in e-buses for inter-city routes.

In a related development, Switch Mobility, a Hinduja Group company, has secured an order for 840 electric buses for Delhi under the first phase of the PM E-DRIVE scheme. The order, placed through Antony Road Transport Solutions, includes 420 9-metre and 420 12-metre air-conditioned buses. These vehicles will be deployed with the Delhi Transport Corporation and the Delhi Transport Department to support the city’s sustainable mobility goals.

The PM E-DRIVE scheme, which has been extended to March 2028, includes a significant subsidy allocation of ₹4,391 crore for electric bus deployment in major cities. While the procurement process for 13,800 buses has been completed, rising demand from cities like Surat, Hyderabad, and various other states may necessitate a separate government scheme to address the surplus requirements.