Seychelles launches electric bus pilot program

The Seychelles Public Transport Corporation has launched a pilot program featuring its first two battery-electric buses. The 34-seater vehicles, built on an Indian chassis by Ashok Leyland, are equipped with air-conditioning, USB charging, Wi-Fi, and CCTV.

These buses will operate on split routes covering the northern and southern lines to test performance on the nation’s narrow coastal roads and steep gradients. The government aims to scale this pilot into a fleet of 100 electric buses within two years.

The transition is part of a long-term strategy to move away from imported diesel. Under the current contract, the vendor will maintain the batteries for the first five years. The pilot phase will maintain existing passenger fares, though officials have indicated a target of a six-rupee flat fare once the full electric fleet is operational.