Bangaloreans who depend on public transport for their daily commute can now breathe a sigh of relief, as the first ever-electric bus is currently operational. February 27th 2014 saw Bangalore take its first step towards fostering a greener environment. The BYD Auto manufactured, 100% electric bus is all set to ply Bangalore roads for a trial period of three months. At the end of the trial period BMTC will have statistics and ample information to make a decision on incorporating the green transport system.
The operation of the bus is under the aegis of the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation in association with Utopia.
The bus is accessible to the average Bangalore commuter and is a much quieter and cleaner option as compared to the conventional public transport options. The bus costs approximately Rs. 2.7 crore. The steep initial investment however might deter the government from switching to electric buses completely
Quick Facts about Bangalore’s electric bus
- The bus will shuttle between Kadugodi and Kempe Gowda bus stand.
- Air conditioned a 31-seat coach
- The bus can travel up to 250 kilometers on one charge cycle.
- The time required for charging is between four to six hours.
- The bus can make up to eight trips on one charge cycle.
- The BYD Auto manufacturing company is based in China and in China the buses are called K9.
- The bus runs on batteries that are also eco-friendly as they can be recycled without any toxins being released.
Mysore soon to get electric buses
The Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) is all set to bring three electric buses to Mysore’s roads in the next few months. After Bangalore, Mysore will be the second city to get hybrid buses under JNNURM in the country.
Countries and cities where electric bus is already in use
In countries like the United States of America, China, South Korea, Japan, Spain, Finland and Canada, public transport that relies heavily on electricity is fairly common sight.
International cities like Seattle and San Francisco have been noting an increasing passenger base relying solely on electric buses. Across the world, cities like Salzburg in Austria and Arnhem in Holland are increasingly adopting electric public transport. Bangalore and Mysore might soon join the ranks of global cities through their efforts to reduce carbon footprints.