Bengaluru's BMTC begins trial runs of AC electric buses

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.

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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.

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