Adani Group to Electrify Intra-City Transport with Electric Buses
Friday, 09 February 2024, 15:34 IST
Adani Enterprises, in collaboration with consortium partner EKA Mobility, has ventured into the electric mass mobility sector by participating in the ongoing tender offered by Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL), a state-owned entity. The tender involves the acquisition of 3,600 electric buses and encompasses a comprehensive scope, including procurement, supply, operations, maintenance, and the development of associated electric and civil infrastructure. This initiative is part of the Pradhan Mantri e-bus Sewa program. Noteworthy competitors in this substantial tender include JBM Ecolife, Greencell Mobility, and PMI Electro Mobility. EKA Mobility, operating under Pinnacle Industries, has secured approval within the framework of the Indian government's INR 25,000 crore production-linked incentive plan for the automotive and auto component sectors.
Adani Enterprises, identified as the primary participant in the consortium, has submitted a bid for the supply of electric buses dedicated to intra-city operations, as per sources familiar with the situation. The government is actively encouraging the transition of public transportation systems to all-electric, offering incentives to state governments for establishing essential infrastructure to facilitate the efficient deployment of electric buses within urban areas. This involves the implementation of transmission lines and civil infrastructure at depots, as explained by one of the sources. The government's initiative aims to introduce 10,000 electric buses valued at INR 57,613 crore across 169 cities, utilizing a public-private partnership model under the PM e-bus Sewa Scheme, which received approval earlier in the fiscal year. The central government intends to provide financial assistance amounting to INR 20,000 crore for this endeavor.
Industry estimates suggest that an investment ranging from INR 1.2 to 1.5 lakh crore will be necessary to deploy 100,000 electric buses on India's roadways. The government is presently collaborating with various stakeholders to formulate the framework required to achieve this ambitious objective. A second source emphasized that consortiums participating in the bidding process must handle a comprehensive spectrum of responsibilities, including operations, funding, and associated infrastructure. This approach represents a significant expansion compared to previous tenders, transforming it into an infrastructure development game. Notably, major corporations like Adani are entering the scene to contribute substantial size and scale to the electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem.
Adani Enterprises, identified as the primary participant in the consortium, has submitted a bid for the supply of electric buses dedicated to intra-city operations, as per sources familiar with the situation. The government is actively encouraging the transition of public transportation systems to all-electric, offering incentives to state governments for establishing essential infrastructure to facilitate the efficient deployment of electric buses within urban areas. This involves the implementation of transmission lines and civil infrastructure at depots, as explained by one of the sources. The government's initiative aims to introduce 10,000 electric buses valued at INR 57,613 crore across 169 cities, utilizing a public-private partnership model under the PM e-bus Sewa Scheme, which received approval earlier in the fiscal year. The central government intends to provide financial assistance amounting to INR 20,000 crore for this endeavor.
Industry estimates suggest that an investment ranging from INR 1.2 to 1.5 lakh crore will be necessary to deploy 100,000 electric buses on India's roadways. The government is presently collaborating with various stakeholders to formulate the framework required to achieve this ambitious objective. A second source emphasized that consortiums participating in the bidding process must handle a comprehensive spectrum of responsibilities, including operations, funding, and associated infrastructure. This approach represents a significant expansion compared to previous tenders, transforming it into an infrastructure development game. Notably, major corporations like Adani are entering the scene to contribute substantial size and scale to the electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem.
