On May 22, 2025, Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel Shri H.D. Kumaraswamy chaired a crucial meeting to advance the rollout of electric buses under the PM e-Drive Scheme. This initiative, driven by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, is a significant step toward achieving clean and sustainable urban mobility across India, with a focus on states like Telangana, Karnataka, Delhi, and Gujarat.
Electric Bus Allocation for Major Cities
Scaling Up Sustainable Transport
The meeting outlined the allocation of electric buses to key cities under the current phase of the PM e-Drive Scheme. Approximately 4,500 electric buses will be provided to Bengaluru, 2,800 to Delhi, 2,000 to Hyderabad, 1,000 to Ahmedabad, and 600 to Surat. This strategic distribution aims to enhance public transport efficiency while reducing environmental impact in these urban centers.
Vision for a Cleaner India
Leadership of PM Narendra Modi
Shri H.D. Kumaraswamy emphasized the transformative impact of the PM e-Drive Scheme, stating, “Thanks to the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, India is now taking bold strides toward sustainable urban mobility.” He highlighted that the scheme is not just about deploying buses but about shaping the future of India’s transport system with innovation and environmental consciousness.
Centre-State Collaboration
Strengthening Partnerships
The success of the PM e-Drive Scheme relies on Centre-State synergy. The Ministry of Heavy Industries is working closely with states like Telangana, Karnataka, Delhi, and Gujarat to ensure timely delivery and operational readiness of the electric buses. This collaborative approach reinforces India’s commitment to a sustainable transport vision.
Scope and Financial Commitment
A Nationwide Initiative
The PM e-Drive Scheme aims to deploy 14,028 electric buses across India with a financial outlay of ₹10,900 crore over two years, from April 2024 to March 2026. This makes it one of the world’s largest national efforts to electrify public transport, setting a global benchmark for sustainable urban mobility.
Below is a summary of the electric bus allocation under the PM e-Drive Scheme:
| City | Number of Electric Buses |
|---|---|
| Bengaluru | 4,500 |
| Delhi | 2,800 |
| Hyderabad | 2,000 |
| Ahmedabad | 1,000 |
| Surat | 600 |
Impact on Urban Mobility
Toward a Greener Future
The deployment of electric buses under the PM e-Drive Scheme is set to make public transport cleaner, smarter, and more efficient. By reducing carbon emissions and promoting eco-friendly transport, the initiative aligns with India’s broader goals of environmental sustainability and innovation in urban mobility.
Key Highlights
- Meeting on May 22, 2025, chaired by Shri H.D. Kumaraswamy to advance PM e-Drive Scheme.
- Allocation of 14,028 electric buses with ₹10,900 crore budget from April 2024 to March 2026.
- Major cities like Bengaluru (4,500 buses), Delhi (2,800), Hyderabad (2,000), Ahmedabad (1,000), and Surat (600) to benefit.
- Focus on Centre-State synergy for timely delivery and operational readiness.
- Part of PM Modi’s vision for clean and sustainable urban mobility.
- One of the world’s largest efforts to electrify public transport.