Shimla, July 30 — Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Thursday flagged off 297 Type-I electric buses from Kyarighat in Solan district for deployment in Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC), a significant milestone in the history of public transportation.
He announced that the state government would procure 1,000 additional electric buses this year and is considering procurement of 100 hydrogen-powered buses.
The induction of these electric buses will not only enhance commuter convenience but also represents a major step towards establishing a clean, green, modern and sustainable public transport system, an official statement said.
The Chief Minister also launched the HimBus Plus Card, which is an another significant initiative aimed at promoting digital and smart public transportation.
He said these state-of-the-art electric buses would provide passengers a safe, comfortable and pollution-free travel experience.
Their operation would reduce dependence on fossil fuels, significantly lower carbon emissions, besides decreasing operational costs and strengthening the financial position of HRTC.
The state government has developed modern charging infrastructure at various bus depots to ensure the operation of these buses and has put in place all necessary arrangements to promote e-mobility across the state.
Chief Minister Sukhu reiterated the state government's commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable development.
He said the objective was not only to provide better transportation facilities but also to ensure a clean Himalaya, clean air and a healthy environment for future generations.
Interacting with the media, the Chief Minister said that with the induction of 297 buses, the total number of electric buses in the HRTC fleet has now reached 500.
He added that electric buses were considerably more economical than diesel buses.
The operational cost of an electric bus, including staff and other expenses, was around Rs 36-38 per km, compared to Rs 76-86 per km for a diesel bus.
With addition these buses in the fleet, savings of Rs 40-50 per km would be ensured to HRTC.
He said that the state government is working towards making HRTC financially self-reliant.
He added that the state government had envisioned making Himachal Pradesh a green energy state in its very first budget and accordingly prioritised the promotion of electric mobility.
He said the current electric buses had a range of around 200 km per charge, while the next generation of buses would be capable of travelling 250 to 300 km on a single charge.