Chandigarh Receives 15 New Electric Buses, Targets Highest EV Adoption by 2027

Key Highlights

• 15 electric buses received under the PM e-Bus Sewa Scheme.

• First city to get 12-metre low-floor AC e-buses.

• 100 e-buses approved in the first phase, more coming soon.

• 85 old diesel buses were removed after completing their service life.

• Total electric buses sanctioned for Chandigarh now 428.

Chandigarh has taken a major step towards clean and green public transport by adding 15 new electric buses to its fleet. These buses have been received under the PM e-Bus Sewa Scheme, as the Union Territory aims to achieve one of the highest zero-emission vehicle adoption rates in India by 2027.

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First Lot of Electric Buses Arrives

Officials from the UT Transport Department said that 25 electric buses were sanctioned in the first phase, out of which 15 buses have already arrived. The remaining 10 buses from this batch are expected to reach the city by next week.

With this delivery, Chandigarh has become the first city in India to receive 12-metre-long, low-floor, air-conditioned electric buses under the PM e-Bus Sewa Scheme.

Designed for Comfort and Accessibility

Each electric bus offers a driving range of around 224 km on a single charge. The floor height is just 400 mm, making boarding easy for senior citizens and women.

To support persons with disabilities (PwDs), including wheelchair users, the buses are equipped with:

• Power-operated ramps

• Electronically controlled kneeling mechanism

These features ensure safe and comfortable access for all passengers.

Modern Features for Safer Travel

The new electric buses are fitted with several advanced systems to improve passenger safety and convenience. Officials said the buses come with:

• Voice-enabled internal passenger information systems that announce upcoming stops

• Stop-request buttons installed on alternate stanchions

• Air suspension at both front and rear for smoother rides

Each bus has 36 seats, space for 20 standing passengers, a designated wheelchair area, and accommodation for the driver.

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Advanced Safety and Monitoring Systems

To enhance safety and monitoring, the buses are equipped with:

• Cameras at both passenger doors to count boarding and alighting passengers

• Four CCTV cameras:

• Two inside the passenger saloon

• One to monitor driver behaviour

• One reverse camera

• GPS devices

• Emergency panic buttons

• Passenger information display systems at the front, side, and rear

These features will help improve service quality and passenger confidence.

More Electric Buses Coming Soon

Under the PM e-Bus Sewa Scheme, 100 electric buses have been approved for Chandigarh. As per the delivery plan:

• Another 25 buses will arrive by the end of January

• The remaining 50 buses are expected by the end of February or early March next year

This phased delivery will significantly strengthen the city’s clean public transport network.

Old Diesel Buses Phased Out

As part of the transition to cleaner mobility, 85 diesel buses operating on tricity routes were removed from service on November 19 after completing their 15-year operational lifespan.

To avoid service disruptions, the Chandigarh Transport Undertaking (CTU) diverted diesel buses from long-distance routes to city operations.

These diesel buses were originally procured in 2010 under the JnNURM-I scheme. While 85 buses from depot-4 have already completed their service life, the remaining buses are scheduled to be condemned in February next year.

Big Boost with 328 More Electric Buses Approved

In another major boost to Chandigarh’s clean mobility mission, the Centre has approved 328 additional electric buses under the PM e-Bus Service Scheme.

With this approval, the total number of electric buses sanctioned for Chandigarh has increased to 428, bringing the city closer to its goal of becoming a carbon-free and sustainable urban centre.

Chandigarh’s electric bus expansion reflects a strong commitment to cleaner air, better public transport, and a greener future for its residents.

Also Read: ElectriGo Launches Electric Bus Leasing in India, Partners with GEMS for 50 E-Buses

CMV360 Says

Chandigarh’s push for electric buses marks a significant step towards clean and sustainable urban transportation. With modern, accessible, and tech-enabled electric buses entering service and old diesel buses being phased out, the city is steadily reducing pollution. The approval of hundreds of additional e-buses further strengthens Chandigarh’s plan to achieve one of India’s highest rates of zero-emission vehicle adoption by 2027.