Leading Indian CV maker, Tata Motors announced that it has bagged an order to supply 1,500 of its Starbus electric buses to Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) under the larger tender by Convergence Energy Services (CESL).
As per the contract, the company will supply, operate and maintain air-conditioned, low-floor, 12-metre fully built electric buses for 12 years, a press release from the company stated.
These buses include amenities such as the Lift Mechanism, which extends an automated ramp for easy ingress and egress of specially-abled passengers, as well as ergonomic seats, roomy interiors, and utility features such as charging ports, and wide entry and exit passages. It also has Intelligent Transport System (ITS), telematics, and regenerative braking, among other features.
Neeraj Semwal (IAS), MD, Delhi Transport Corporation, said the induction of the environment-friendly buses will help largely in reducing air pollution and benefit millions of Delhi citizens. “DTC remains committed to introducing new technologies for benefit of passengers and society, at large, he said.”
Mahua Acharya, MD & CEO, CESL noted that by placing such order, the Delhi Government has shown exemplary leadership in transitioning over to electric buses.
Meanwhile, Rohit Srivastava, Vice President, Product Line – Buses, Tata Motors, said, “The delivery of these buses will further fortify our partnership with DTC and help in environment-friendly mass mobility for the city of Delhi.”
Earlier in January this year, CESL had announced the floating of a request for proposals to procure electric buses for nine states under the Grand Challenge initiative. Valued between INR 3,500-5,500 crore, this tender will aid in the procurement of around 5,450 buses, including 130 double-decker buses for five states, including the cities of Bangalore, Delhi, Surat, Hyderabad, and Kolkata in the first phase.