 "Nitin Gadkari")
To curb pollution, the ministry of road, transport and highways would introduce 10 lithium ion-powered buses or electric buses (retrofitted) for use by state transport undertakings by March next year.
The ministry is in talks with state undertakings of Karnataka, Maharashtra, Delhi, etc., to convert their existing diesel buses to electric ones.
The technology has been developed in India by Pune-based KPIT Technologies, a global technology company specialising in IT consulting and product engineering, in consultation with the Central Institute of Road Transport. Initially, imported batteries would be fitted in buses but later batteries developed by Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) would be used for the purpose, said a ministry official.
“Isro is in the process of developing lithium ion battery for the buses. Once it is developed, it will be put in use and the cost will come down drastically," said the official.
The official added besides Isro, IIT-Kharagpur and IIT-Madras are also working on lithium ion battery. An imported battery costs about Rs 25-30 lakh.
The ministry has earmarked about Rs 10 crore for the project for developing the technology in India and for converting 12 diesel buses into electric.
Another senior official said the first two proto type buses developed by KPIT Technologies would be flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday in Delhi.
According to him, this was in line with the prime minister's 'Make in India' drive. The top official said the idea was to minimise pollution in the entire country, not just in Delhi.
Electric buses are ideal for urban transport. State transport undertakings purchase about 15,000 buses a year. Out of the total purchases, about 70 per cent are deployed in urban areas. So, if the pilot project becomes successful, it will be a boon to the undertakings, as it would bring down their operational costs as well as pollution.
The ministry is in talks with state undertakings of Karnataka, Maharashtra, Delhi, etc., to convert their existing diesel buses to electric ones.
The technology has been developed in India by Pune-based KPIT Technologies, a global technology company specialising in IT consulting and product engineering, in consultation with the Central Institute of Road Transport. Initially, imported batteries would be fitted in buses but later batteries developed by Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) would be used for the purpose, said a ministry official.
“Isro is in the process of developing lithium ion battery for the buses. Once it is developed, it will be put in use and the cost will come down drastically," said the official.
The official added besides Isro, IIT-Kharagpur and IIT-Madras are also working on lithium ion battery. An imported battery costs about Rs 25-30 lakh.
The ministry has earmarked about Rs 10 crore for the project for developing the technology in India and for converting 12 diesel buses into electric.
Another senior official said the first two proto type buses developed by KPIT Technologies would be flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday in Delhi.
According to him, this was in line with the prime minister's 'Make in India' drive. The top official said the idea was to minimise pollution in the entire country, not just in Delhi.
Electric buses are ideal for urban transport. State transport undertakings purchase about 15,000 buses a year. Out of the total purchases, about 70 per cent are deployed in urban areas. So, if the pilot project becomes successful, it will be a boon to the undertakings, as it would bring down their operational costs as well as pollution.
