Delhi Drives Green: Four New Charge Hubs Power Up E-Bus Revolution

Image Source: ET EnergyWorld

Delhi has sanctioned a major project to install four dedicated electric bus charging stations in Dwarka, a major step towards its target of an all-electric public transportation fleet by 2026. It is a part of a larger plan to withdraw CNG buses, curb air pollution, and offer clean mobility to millions of daily commuters.

Project Overview

The electric bus charging infrastructure will be set up in four major depots in Dwarka by the transport department of Delhi: Cluster Depot I, Cluster Depot II (Sector 22), ISBT (Sector 22), and DTC Depot (Sector 8).
The Rs 107 crore project will be executed by BSES Rajdhani Power Limited and will take 18 months to get completed.

Why This Matters

Delhi intends to phase out its entire CNG bus fleet and replace them with electric buses to tackle air pollution-45% of which is caused by vehicle emissions.
The city has about 7,000 public buses with 1,600 already running on electricity.

Infrastructure Details

The e-bus charging stations will be dedicated to only electric buses and will provide hassle-free and undivided assistance to the increasing e-bus fleet.
The infrastructure is made to be cost-effective, durable, and permanent, with no scope for future cost escalation.

Facilitating the Transition

The project is a part of a broader investment in electric mobility, with Rs 9,000 crore being invested in charging stations, depots, and service centres.
Delhi recently inducted 400 new electric buses, with a goal to completely electrify public transport by 2026.

Next Steps

The transport department will research international best practices to ensure that robust and updated charging infrastructure is in place.
The project shall be executed within the approved cost and timeframe, guided by the finance department.

Impact

The new charging points will hasten the transition to electric buses, enabling daily commutes for more than 40 lakh bus commuters and adding to the cleanliness of the capital's air.

Sources: Indian Express, APAC News Network, New Indian Express, The Week, EQ Mag Pro