Himachal Pradesh first hill state to run electric buses.

• Himachal Roads Transport Corporation (HRTC) has started India’s first electric bus service for Rohtang Pass.
• The Himachal Pradesh has become the first in the world to ply electric buses at an altitude of 13 thousand feet. These buses will ply on 51km eco fragile stretch between Manali and Rohtang.
• Made in India by Goldstone Infratech, the electric bus has been certified by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), after extensive testing at part level and vehicle level at various testing facilities.
• Each electric bus has a capacity to carry 30 passengers and can cover 200 km with the fully charged Lithium Iron Phosphate battery. Its batteries can be recharged in less than four hours. These batteries are known for longer lifetime, better power density and is also safe due to chemical and thermal stability. The HRTC hasn’t fixed its fare but is expected it to be marginally higher than diesel buses.
• Electricity charging points have been installed at Manali and Marhi.
• The buses will ply on Manali-Kullu and Mandi routes during winters when the road to Rohtang is blocked with snow. The government has also decided to start an eight-seater electric vehicle service in Manali town.
• The state government has started drive to replace diesel buses with electric buses. And 50 electric buses would be add to its fleet.
• “These buses will not only provide comfortable travelling facility to the commuters but will also help in checking pollution levels. The purchase orders have already been given after all code formalities were fulfilled,”
• Earlier, the National Green Tribunal had raised concern about the fast degrading ecology of Rohtang pass, and ordered the Himachal Pradesh government to stop plying of all petrol and diesel vehicles on Manali-Rohtang route and run CNG and electric vehicles only. Under pressure from the green court the state government initiated to start the electric buses.
  

Advantages :

1. Emissions - The impact of of emissions on children's health is undeniable. Diesel school buses emit NOx and PM 2.5 that cause asthma, which is affects 1 in 10 childern in the each country .Electric buses not emit any kind of emission. They are eco friendly.
2. Reflect Well on Your Brand – Individuals and corporations want to feel like they are contributing to a better world. As we become environmentally more conscious, customers are more inclined to perceive companies and institutions that align themselves with a commitment to sustainability in a more positive light than those that don’t.
3. Freedom from Rising Gasoline Costs – Gasoline fuel prices are often determined by geo-political and environmental factors. For instance, just two weeks after Hurricane Harvey hit Texas this year, several refineries closed, causing gas prices to spike. Using more electric transportation protects from the risk of global oil price hikes.
4. Save on Maintenance Costs – Electric vehicles are composed of fewer moving parts compared to traditional internal combustion motors. Thus, electric buses cause fewer operational and maintenance issues.
5. Quieter Operation – Though it may be difficult to imagine a quiet bus, electric buses do run silently and are therefore more neighborhood friendly.
6. Reduced Costs – While electric buses for sale require a higher investment upfront, electricity is significantly cheaper then gasoline and can be partially funded with state and federal incentives. Electric buses also have fewer parts than standard buses. As a result, they have lower maintenance costs over time- another factor contributing to savings.

Other advantages of the electric bus are:

1. The cost of maintenance is about 25% lower than the maintenance cost of a diesel bus, since the electric motor doesn’t need the same level of services the diesel engine needs.
2. Electric engine’s energy losses are significantly lower than diesel engine’s energy losses, so the cost per kilometer of electric bus travel is about a third of the cost of a diesel bus ride.
3. The electric bus is much quieter than a diesel bus, giving travelers a more pleasant experience and significantly reducing the environmental noise.
4. The electric buses combine a regenerative braking system that generates electricity during the braking process.

Challenges:
1. As of today, the electric bus is significantly more expensive than a diesel bus, but the cost is expected to go down.
2. Adjustments must be made to the energy system according to the area in which the bus operates.
3. The conventional charging system limits the driving distance. Charging systems that enable long driving distance are stile very expensive.
4. Building a working plan (schedule) for an electric bus should consider a variety of parameters about the energy system.
5. Real-time energy system monitoring is required to prevent malfunctions and delays.
There is no doubt that the advantages of the electric bus, and especially its contribution to the quality of life of all of us, justify the efforts and costs required in the initial stages of implementation