Indore: The launch of the electric bus along with 16 electric cars and other buses that would run in the state connecting Indore had an initial inaugural time pegged at 6 pm.
However, after five hours of wait, the minister for urban development and housing Jaivardhan Singh arrived. The buses and car have been launched with the motive of providing better connectivity in the state and an attempt to control air pollution with electrical vehicles. Since there is only electric bus available with AiCTSL as of now, it is less likely to ply on the proposed routes until others arrive. The final decisions about the electric bus are still pending.
Electric Car: The electric car is originally owned by Tata and has been taken on lease by AiCTSL. This electric car is further being given to Indore Municipal Corporation on rent. It is likely to be used by workers of IMC on test routine.
Connecting Indore to…: The buses launched in the event will connect Indore to various nearby districts. The following districts will be connected to Indore with the new buses: Jhabua, Alirajpur, Sanawad, Badwani, Badnagar, Betma, Khilichipur, Aastha, Sonkachh, Tarana, Shajapur, Chapra, Hatpipaliya, Harda, Itarsi, Satwas, Panna and Satna.
Plans for electric bus: The recently arrived electric bus is still waiting for installation of charging station at Rajiv Gandhi intersection, but its arrival has definitely given hope to swachchta-obsessed Indoreans. Adding to that hope, AiCTSL is planning to keep the fare similar to city bus starting from Rs 5 for 1.5 kilometres.
Further, the fare for longer routes would be adjusted to make it travelling in electric buses affordable. AiCTSL is also planning the management and operation of 40 such electric buses on proposed five routes in the city. To run the buses, 20 chargers must be installed at the charging station. Two chargers were brought with the bus. However, for the charging station to be built, the intersection requires 500 KVA transformer and power, but the corporation has not got any connection so far. This process will take about 15 to 20 days.
About the electric bus: Electric buses are air-conditioned, have modern interiors and comfortable seats for 31 passengers. The buses also come with air suspension for both front and rear axles to make travel more comfortable for the commuters. Integrated electric motor generator with a peak power of 328 bhp can deliver 194 bhp continuously ensuring effortless driving in congested roads and frequent start stops needing no shifting of gears. The electric motor is powered by a Li-Ion battery that offers a range of up to 150 km on a single charge.
Need for electric buses: According to a study from the World Health Organisation, 9 out of every 10 people in the world breathe air that contains high levels of pollutants and kills 7 million people each year. Vehicular pollution has been a major source of air pollution and efforts are being made on a global scale to reduce the vehicular pollution as much as we can in the shortest possible time span. Electric vehicles are one such way to tackle the rising pollution level.