Delhi has officially received the first batch of 950 electric buses from Switch Mobility, marking a major milestone in the city’s transition toward clean and sustainable public transport. The move comes under the Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL) tender, aimed at rapidly electrifying India’s urban mobility sector.
A Step Towards Greener Public Transport
The capital city, which has long struggled with air pollution and high vehicular emissions, is banking on electric mobility as a key solution. By adding nearly a thousand electric buses, Delhi is not only reducing its dependency on fossil fuels but also setting an example for other states to follow.
Flag-Off Ceremony
The new buses were officially flagged off by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, along with Transport Minister Dr Pankaj Singh, MP Manoj Tiwari, MLA Surya Prakash Khatri, and senior officials from the transport department and Switch Mobility. The leaders highlighted the importance of this rollout in providing citizens with safe, modern, and eco-friendly transportation.
Bus Features and Safety
The 12-metre ultra-low-floor Switch EiV12 buses are specifically designed for urban transit. Each bus includes:
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Seating capacity for 39 passengers
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Wheelchair ramps for better accessibility
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CCTV cameras, panic buttons, and GPS tracking for passenger safety
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Fire detection and suppression systems (FDSS)
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Floor-mounted lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries for stability and enhanced safety
The rear-mounted dual-gun fast-charging system ensures quick turnaround, keeping downtime minimal and efficiency high.
Technology for Smarter Operations
Every bus is equipped with Switch iON, a proprietary telematics platform that enables:
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Real-time vehicle health monitoring
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Data-driven transport management
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Improved operational efficiency for fleet operators
This means buses can be tracked, maintained, and optimised more effectively, improving reliability for daily commuters.
Strategic Significance for Delhi
With this rollout, Delhi strengthens its position as the Indian city with the largest electric bus fleet. Officials believe this move will:
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Significantly cut CO₂ emissions
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Improve urban air quality
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Offer citizens a modern, quieter, and cleaner commuting option
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Advance India’s national electric mobility mission
Switch Mobility emphasised that the EiV12 buses are built for safety, sustainability, and passenger comfort, aligning with the government’s long-term vision for a green public transport ecosystem.
Conclusion
This development represents much more than just the addition of new buses. It reflects Delhi’s ambition to transform its public transport system, address air pollution, and serve as a blueprint for other Indian cities aiming to adopt large-scale electric mobility solutions.