First batch of five electric buses arrives in Puducherry; trial run in a few days
The Hindu
First batch of five electric buses arrives in Puducherry; trial run in a few days
After a long wait, the first batch of five electric buses, including a prototype, have arrived in Puducherry from Hyderabad. Another bus is expected this week.
The low-floor buses supplied by Evey Trans Private Limited, a subsidiary of Olectra Greentech, reached Puducherry on Monday (May 26, 2025) and is aimed at strengthening the public transport sector’s shift to electric vehicles.
Commuters in Puducherry and its suburbs can now expect an improved and hassle-free travel experience, thanks to the modern features of these electric buses, officials said.
The charging station for the electric buses is being established by Evey Trans Private Limited on a 25,000 sq. ft. site belonging to the Puducherry government on Maraimalai Adigal Salai. A major portion of the work is completed, and the facility will be ready in the next two weeks.
According to Transport Commissioner A.S. Sivakumar: “As many as five buses have arrived, while another bus is expected this week. The remaining 19 buses will be inducted in a phased manner before July-end. These buses have been brought in under the FAME-II scheme of the Government of India.”
“The 25 buses (10 AC and 15 non-AC) are 9-metre buses and will be run under Gross Cost Contract (GCC) in Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. The ₹23-crore seed funding from the Smart City project will be utilised for the payment on per km basis along with ticket revenue. The buses will ply on 15 tentative routes within urban areas, and will be operated under a Viability Gap Funding model.”
The prototype of the bus will be on a trial run for a few days to assess its technical and mechanical strength. It will ply on designated routes for a few days without any passengers to check single charging range and other practical aspects. The buses will then be formally flagged off by the Lt. Governor and Chief Minister, and be available for city residents.
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