Bengaluru's BMTC begins trial runs of AC electric buses

BMTC officials said that AC e-buses will replace the aging fleet of Volvo buses operating on Vajra (tech corridors) and Vayu Vajra (airport) routes.

The Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has commenced trial runs of air-conditioned (AC) electric buses.

In April 2024, Moneycontrol reported that Ohm Global Mobility, a subsidiary of Ashok Leyland, had received a contract to supply 320 AC electric buses to BMTC for airport routes and tech corridors.

BMTC officials said that AC e-buses will replace the aging fleet of Volvo buses operating on Vajra (tech corridors) and Vayu Vajra (airport) routes.

Also, read: Bengaluru: Ohm Global Mobility to supply 320 AC e-buses to BMTC for airport routes, tech corridors

A BMTC official told Moneycontrol that five buses are now operating on a trial basis between Kempegowda Bus Station and Kadugodi (Whitefield).

The first prototype bus was initially expected to arrive in Bengaluru by June 2024, with the full fleet scheduled for delivery by March 2025. However, multiple delays have pushed the timeline.

Under the agreement, Ohm Global Mobility will operate the AC e-buses on a Gross Cost Contract (GCC) model, with BMTC paying Rs 65.80 per Km.

Also, read: Ashok Leyland to fully acquire OHM India, to infuse Rs 300 crore

Ohm will manage bus operations, maintenance, deployment of drivers, and charging infrastructure, while BMTC will provide conductors for the buses. The operator will ensure an assured distance of 225 Km per day for 350 days annually over 12 years.

This is the first time BMTC is introducing air-conditioned electric buses,

Currently, BMTC operates 1,269 non-AC electric buses in its fleet, including 879 from Tata Motors (total contract is 921 buses), 300 from Switch Mobility (Ashok Leyland) and 90 from JBM-NTPC. These buses were introduced under a lease model. BMTC is paying Rs 41 per Km for Tata Motors buses, which were procured through a Convergence Energy Services Limited tender.

For JBM-NTPC buses inducted under the Bengaluru Smart City scheme, BMTC is paying Rs 51 per Km. For Switch Mobility buses, introduced under the Centre’s FAME-II scheme, BMTC is paying Rs 48.9 per Km.

Also, read: Bengaluru faces transport fare hikes: After BMTC, autos and metro set to increase prices