CESL to Launch ₹10,900 Electric Bus Tender Under NEBP to Boost Clean Mobility Across India

Key Highlights

• CESL to launch tender for 10,900 electric buses on 6 November 2025 under NEBP.

• Bengaluru to get 4,500 buses, Delhi 2,800, Hyderabad 2,000, Surat and Ahmedabad 1,600.

• Buses to include Standard, Low Floor, and BRT models in AC and Non-AC variants.

• Operated under the Gross Cost Contract (GCC) model with private operators managing fleets.

• Expected to cut over 4 million tonnes of CO₂ annually and create local jobs, including for women.

India is set to take another giant leap towards clean and sustainable urban transport. State-owned Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL) has announced that it will open a tender for 10,900 electric buses on 6 November 2025 under the National Electric Bus Programme (NEBP). The large-scale project aims to accelerate the shift towards zero-emission public transport across major cities, including Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, Surat, and Ahmedabad.

Also Read: Puducherry Goes Green: 25 New Olectra Electric Buses Hit the Roads Under Smart City Mission

Expanding India’s Green Public Transport Network

The new tender will focus on deploying electric buses in several categories: Standard Floor, Low Floor, and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) models, available in both air-conditioned (AC) and non-air-conditioned versions.

As per the allocation plan:

• Bengaluru will receive the largest share with 4,500 e-buses

• Delhi will add 2,800 buses

• Hyderabad will get 2,000 buses

• Surat and Ahmedabad together will receive 1,600 buses

Each of these buses will replace diesel-powered models, helping to cut emissions, reduce noise pollution, and improve air quality in India’s busiest metropolitan regions.

CESL’s Innovative Procurement Model

The initiative will operate under CESL’s aggregation-based procurement model, using the Gross Cost Contract (GCC) framework. Under this model, private operators will own, operate, and maintain the e-buses, while city transport authorities pay a fixed cost per kilometre.

This structure not only ensures cost-efficiency and transparency but also reduces the financial burden on municipal administrations. The operators will also be responsible for setting up charging depots and maintaining the buses as per strict service-level agreements related to uptime, energy performance, and passenger comfort.

Driving Jobs, Equality, and Sustainability

CESL’s e-bus tender is not just a step toward clean mobility but also a driver of social and economic growth. The project will create thousands of local jobs, including roles for drivers, technicians, and engineers, with a special focus on women’s participation in the workforce.

Once the buses are operational, they are expected to reduce more than 4 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually, contributing significantly to India’s climate goals and enhancing the overall urban travel experience.

Strengthening India’s Electric Mobility Vision

CESL has already achieved major milestones under the FAME-II and NEBP programmes through earlier successful e-bus procurements. The upcoming 10,900-bus tender represents one of the largest clean mobility initiatives in India’s history, signaling a strong push towards sustainable and inclusive public transportation.

The company’s ongoing collaboration with domestic and international electric bus manufacturers, many of whom have participated in pre-bid discussions, shows rising investor confidence in India’s electric mobility transition.

Also Read: Greaves Electric Mobility Partners with Perpetuity Capital to Supercharge EV Ownership with Low-Interest Financing Across India

CMV360 Says

CESL’s new tender for 10,900 electric buses marks a significant move toward greener, quieter, and smarter cities. By combining environmental goals with employment generation and inclusive policies, this initiative is poised to redefine the future of public transport in India. If implemented successfully, it could bring the nation closer to achieving a fully electric public transport ecosystem sooner than expected.