Electric Buses to ply in Shimla city :

Zero pollutant electric buses are ready to ply in historic Shimla town. Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur today flagged off one such electric bus for Shimla town from the State Vidhan Sabha Complex . Chief Minister said that fifty electric buses would ply in Shimla town.

The Chief Minister revealed that these electric buses are equipped with latest equipments and have zero pollution emission, and would go a long way in protecting the salubrious and pristine environment of Shimla city. Electric buses have air suspension system, which will help buses to absorb shock from road bumps. Buses are also equipped with anti-skid braking system and passenger safety system.

On single charges electric bus will commute about 150 kms. HRTC will charge normal fair from the commuters. To charge electric bus batteries, the HRTC has installed four charging station of 60kw at Dhalli workshop. Corporation has also acquired one 30kw portable charging station. Transport Corporation is also installing 180kw double charging station at the Dhalli workshop.

It is hoped that electric buses would be commuters delight as they would be able to enjoy noise free and comfortable journey.

Electric buses in Himachal :  India's first electric bus to ply between Kullu-Manali-Rohtang in Himachal Pradesh.Goldstone Infratech Ltd. has announced that its ‘zero emission’ electric bus has begun operating for Himachal Pradesh Transport Corporation. The 25+1 seater Goldstone eBuzz K7 was flagged off by the then , Himachal Pradesh Minister of Transport, GS Bali at Kullu on the Kullu-Manali-Rohtang Pass route .

Electric buses made by Hyderabad-based Goldstone Infratech Ltd, these electric vehicles have been certified by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), after extensive testing. The electric buses are manufactured in a tie-up with Chinese firm BYD Auto Industry Co Ltd, which is the largest manufacturer of electric vehicles in the world.

Each bus can run over 200 km on a single charge and can be recharged in less than four hours because of its fast charging technology.

These buses use lithium ion phosphate battery, which ensures longer lifetime, better power density and is safe on account of chemical and thermal stability. These electric buses plying at such high altitude will become a benchmark for every State transport undertaking. This will prompt faster adoption of electric public transport system in the country for of environment protection.

Advantages of the electric bus are :

• 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.
• 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.
• The electric bus is much quieter than a diesel bus, giving travelers a more pleasant experience and significantly reducing the environmental noise.
• The electric buses combine a regenerative braking system that generates electricity during the braking process.

Beside the positive side, there are also challenges :

• As of today, the electric bus is significantly more expensive than a diesel bus, but the cost is expected to go down.
• Adjustments must be made to the energy system according to the area in which the bus operates.
• The conventional charging system limits the driving distance. Charging systems that enable long driving distance are stile very expensive.
• Building a working plan (schedule) for an electric bus should consider a variety of parameters about the energy system.
• Real-time energy system monitoring is required to prevent malfunctions and delays.