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The "Orange City" of India Nagpur will soon go "Green"! Yes, the city will ply around 250 electric-busses to push down the air pollution on the busy roads. Nagpur Municipal Corporation has given a green signal for this green initiative. The introduction of these 250 e-buses supports NMC's goal of offering citizens a public transportation system that is efficient, environmentally friendly, and dependable.
As of now Nagpur roads have a fleet of 437 buses running in and around city and suburbs. On the recommendation of Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Transport, city underwent the successful trial of e-buses. Now to support the clean air project of the central govenment, city municipal corporation will soon deploy 250 e-buses.
250 Electric Buses from Nagpur Municipal Corporation
EKA Mobility (Pinnacle Mobility Solutions Pvt. Ltd.), a leading electric vehicle manufacturer, has won the contract to supply these buses. According to information provided by the company's officials, the new order from the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) marks a significant milestone for both entities. The fleet will operate on major routes across the city, improving the quality of public transport while substantially lowering operational costs and emissions.
The contract for this service was awarded to Hansa Vahan India Private Limited, formerly known as M/s Hansa Travels, which has partnered with EKA Mobility. EKA Mobility will manufacture and supply the 12-meter, air-conditioned e-buses to Hansa Travels. In addition, EKA Mobility will also undertake an annual maintenance contract for the entire duration of the operation.
Capacity of E-buses
According to the press statement, each bus offers seating for 41 passengers and standing capacity for an additional 24 commuters. This means after the deployment around 16 thousand daily commuters could get the comfortable journey to their destination at a time.
Daily round-ups of the electric busses would be able to cover more than 1 lakh commuters.
International Collaboration
EKA, with Mitsui Co., Ltd. (Japan) and VDL Groep (Netherlands) as equity partners, has deployed its e-buses in Delhi as UBER shuttles at the airport and #UBERReads, as well as at Pune International Airport. The brand also has a strategic partnership with Swedish furniture retailer IKEA to supply electric delivery vans in India.
Speaking about the development, Rohit Srivastava, Chief Growth Officer of EKA Mobility, said, "This partnership with Nagpur Municipal Corporation marks another critical step towards India's transition to clean energy mobility. We are thrilled to be a part of Nagpur's journey toward becoming one of India's most sustainable cities. This order is also a testament to EKA Mobility's growing presence and leadership in the electric vehicle market. With a vision to make public transportation more sustainable and accessible, we will continue to provide green mobility solutions to cities across India, helping them meet their clean energy targets."
Impact to be seen in coming years
The introduction of e-buses in Nagpur is likely to have several positive impacts on the city, including:
Environmental Benefits: E-buses produce zero tailpipe emissions, which will significantly reduce air pollution in Nagpur. This is crucial in combating the rising levels of pollution in urban areas and improving overall air quality.
Reduced Noise Pollution: E-buses operate more quietly than traditional diesel buses, contributing to a reduction in noise pollution, enhancing the quality of life in the city.
Energy Efficiency: Electric buses are more energy-efficient compared to diesel vehicles, as they use electricity, which can be sourced from renewable energy. This helps in reducing the dependency on fossil fuels and aligns with sustainable energy goals.
Cost Savings: Over time, e-buses are expected to be more cost-effective in terms of maintenance and fuel costs. This could lead to savings for the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and ultimately benefit taxpayers.
Promotion of Clean Technology: The deployment of e-buses will encourage the adoption of cleaner, greener technologies in other sectors and could stimulate investments in electric vehicle infrastructure, such as charging stations.
Health Benefits: By reducing air pollution, e-buses can contribute to better public health by lowering the incidence of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases associated with poor air quality.
Improved Public Transport System: E-buses provide a smoother and more comfortable ride compared to traditional buses, which can encourage more people to use public transportation, reducing traffic congestion and the carbon footprint from private vehicle use.
