Delhi to induct 2800 electric buses under Centre scheme by 2028

On Saturday, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced that the Delhi government will induct 2,800 air-conditioned low-floor electric buses in New Delhi under the Centre's PM e-Drive scheme to expand public transport and green mobility.

The incoming fleet will comprise 1,400 12-metre buses and 1,400 9-metre buses. The smaller 9-metre vehicles are specifically intended to improve last-mile connectivity by operating on narrow roads and in rural areas of the city.

According to the announcement, operations for these new electric buses are expected to begin in April next year. The Delhi government plans to integrate the entire fleet of 2,800 vehicles into the city's public transport system by August 2028.

An official stated that the Delhi government originally submitted a proposal for the 2,800 electric buses last year to Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL). Following operational experience with the Delhi Electric Vehicle Interconnector (DEVI) buses, officials revised the proposal to procure an equal split of the 12-metre and 9-metre models.

The procurement is being facilitated under the PM e-Drive scheme, an initiative by the Ministry of Heavy Industries designed to accelerate electric vehicle adoption and charging infrastructure. To support the acquisition, the Centre will provide financial assistance of up to ₹35 lakh for each 12-metre electric bus and ₹25 lakh for each 9-metre bus.

The Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) will operate the entire fleet under the Gross Cost Contract (GCC) model. The operating and service contracts under this model will remain valid for 12 years.

To ensure efficient operations and better route planning, the government will collaborate with IIT Delhi to rationalise bus routes. This partnership aims to enable more effective deployment of the expanded electric bus fleet.

Chief Minister Gupta stated that the overall goal of the Delhi government is to expand its public bus fleet to nearly 14,000 buses by 2028-29.