An ‘electric’ deal for BMTC
These e-buses can run at an average speed of 25 kilometres per hour and cover about 180 kilometres with a fully-charged battery
Private firm to supply 90 mini electric buses that can cover 180 km with fully charged battery to the transport utility by December
JBM Auto Limited, an automobile manufacturing company, headquartered in Gurugram, is planning to dispatch 90 mini electric buses to theBangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC ) by December this year, officials said. Currently, the company is in the process of obtaining multiple clearances for a prototype of a 31-seater bus. The manufacturing of the prototype, once approved, will be followed by a full-fledged assembly of the fleet of 90 buses.
Recently, BMTC officials visited the automobile manufacturer’s plant to get a firsthand experience of the electric bus. “The prototype needs to undergo multiple regulatory approvals including safety and fitness checks. The company has promised to supply the first electric bus by the first week of September. The remaining buses will be dispatched in batches over the next three months,” a BMTC official said.
Rs 51 per kilometre
Among the bid`ders who participated in the tender to supply 90 electric buses, the consortium of JBM Auto Limited and NTPCVidyut Vyapar Nigam , a PSU under the union power ministry, quoted the lowest price to supply the buses and operate them. As per the deal, the BMTC – which has guaranteed 200 kilometers of operations per day per bus, -- will provide Rs 51 to the manufacturer per kilometre. This promise amounts to Rs 9,180 per day, per bus. In addition to the operation cost, BMTC has agreed to provide Rs 50 crore towards charging infrastructure and electric buses. The private consortium is expected to operate the buses on select routes, meet the daily maintenance costs and also provide a driver.
According to the Gross Cost Contract (GCC) Model, the private firm will take the full responsibility of operations and maintenance (O&M) besides supplying the buses. The BMTC will make profits only if the ridership is high. This is unlikely as most of BMTC’s diesel-run buses are incurring losses.
JBM Auto Limited, an automobile manufacturing company, headquartered in Gurugram, is planning to dispatch 90 mini electric buses to the
Recently, BMTC officials visited the automobile manufacturer’s plant to get a firsthand experience of the electric bus. “The prototype needs to undergo multiple regulatory approvals including safety and fitness checks. The company has promised to supply the first electric bus by the first week of September. The remaining buses will be dispatched in batches over the next three months,” a BMTC official said.
It may be noted that according to previous plans, BMTC was supposed to receive all 90 electric buses by now but the supply was disrupted due to the pandemic. The company had supplied one electric bus in November to assess whether the vehicle is fit for Bengaluru roads or not. Officials tested the bus for about a month on different terrains, including flyovers. It is learned that these electric buses can cover about 180 kilometres with a fully-charged battery and their average speed is around 25 kilometres per hour.
The prototype needs to undergo multiple regulatory approvals, including safety and fitness checks. The company has promised to supply the first electric bus by the first week of September
Rs 51 per kilometre
Among the bid`ders who participated in the tender to supply 90 electric buses, the consortium of JBM Auto Limited and NTPC
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As per the agreement, the private consortium is expected to operate these buses on select routes, meet the daily maintenance cost and also provide a driver.
According to the Gross Cost Contract (GCC) Model, the private firm will take the full responsibility of operations and maintenance (O&M) besides supplying the buses. The BMTC will make profits only if the ridership is high. This is unlikely as most of BMTC’s diesel-run buses are incurring losses.
