The city is set to introduce its long-awaited electric bus service soon, with the first batch of 42 electric buses expected to arrive later this month. Preparations are underway, and charging stations at Gotri and Sayajigunj are close to completion, officials said.
Under the PM e-Bus Sewa Scheme, the central government has approved 250 electric buses for the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC). The tender process for the first 100 buses has already been completed, and the vehicles will be delivered in phases. Authorities expect additional buses to arrive within three months after the initial batch is delivered.
The electric buses will operate at a cost of ₹65 per kilometre, shared among different levels of government. The central government will contribute ₹30 per km, the state government ₹22 per km, while the remaining ₹13 per km will be borne by VMC. The municipal body plans to recover its share through advertising and rental revenue.
Currently, the city’s public transport service runs on CNG buses operated by a private contractor, with a fleet of about 150 buses, of which around 130 operate daily. Once the electric buses begin operations, the existing CNG fleet will be gradually phased out.
The contractor managing the current service has reportedly requested termination of the contract, which has already been extended several times since 2023.
Looking ahead, VMC also plans to expand bus services to nearby areas such as Padra, Savli, Waghodiya Road and Por once more electric buses are added to the fleet, improving connectivity for commuters in and around Vadodara.
Click Here to get the latest EV news and exclusive updates from EV Mechanica on WhatsApp!