Delhi administration took a pioneering step toward clean and sustainable urban transport by introducing 76 battery-operated buses on 11 routes in New Delhi. This initiative was implemented through the Delhi Energy Development Agency (DEDA) and was one of India’s earliest experiments with electric public transportation.
Key Features of Delhi’s First Battery-Operated Buses (1987):
- Fleet Size & Routes:
76 electric buses introduced.
Operated on 11 different routes across New Delhi.
- Performance & Specifications:
Laden weight: 3,800 kg.
Cruising speed: 40 km/hr (efficient for city transport).
Maximum speed: 60 km/hr.
- Eco-Friendly & Noise-Free Transport:
Zero tailpipe emissions, reducing air pollution.
Lower noise pollution, compared to traditional diesel buses.
- Early Push for Clean Mobility:
One of India’s first large-scale electric bus deployments.
Preceded modern electric bus projects by over three decades.
Set a precedent for future electric vehicle initiatives in India.
Highlighted the potential of battery-operated public transport in urban settings.
Encouraged later efforts in CNG, hybrid, and electric bus systems in India.
Contributed to Delhi’s long-term focus on reducing vehicular pollution.
While this early EV bus initiative was phased out due to technology limitations at the time, it played a crucial role in shaping India’s electric mobility policies, influencing modern electric bus programs in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore.
