BMTC Electric Bus Service In Bangalore Is The First In India

The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), the city's public transport service provider, today began trial runs of India's first ever electric bus. The service was inaugurated by State Transport Minister, Ramalinga Reddy.

These zero emission, all-electric buses will run in the city for a period of three months. The corporation will take the decision about integrating electric buses into its fleet depending on the level of success achieved during the trial run.

The first electric bus started running from today between the central bus station of Kempegowda Bus Terminal (Majestic) and Kadugodi. The bus will run six trips everyday on this route. Several other routes will be added soon. BMTC also plans to introduce the electric bus in the Airport route.

A special charging terminal has been installed at the Volvo depot in Majestic.

Facts about the BMTC zero emission electric bus

• Model name - K9 D

• Built by - Build Your Dreams (BYD) of China

• Introduced in India - Utopia Pvt Ltd

• Cost - Approx INR 2.7 crores

• Range - 250 km on full charge

• Charge time - 4-6 hours

• Fair - Same as Volvo buses (Rs 80 for Majestic-Kadugodi route)

• Seating capacity - 36 (can vary depending on configuration)

• Power consumed - 100 kWh/hr

BYD build electric buses are already in operation across the world in major cities in the U.S, Hong Kong, Columbia, Chile, Spain, Denmark and the Netherlands.