States want e-buses, but manufacturers worry about repayment: Official

After more than 5,000 electric buses were readied in five states as part of the Grand Challenge scheme, there is a demand from other states for an additional 15,000

States want electric buses for public transport but manufacturers doubt if their road transport undertakings (STUs) will make payments, said a senior civil servant on Thursday.

STUs are subsidised by state governments. “The question is if they are given these services as per the proposed model, will they be able to repay? If the ticket collections are there, will they not go into staff salaries or the general fund of the state government? Will they be used to pay back manufacturers?” said Giridhar Aramane, Union Road Transport and Highways Secretary.

Aramane spoke at Insight 2022, a conclave by Convergence Energy