BUS ELECTRIFICATION

Post Covid-19, a significant change in bus electrification is expected.

- Deepti Thore

India ranks second in bus population after China globally. Like China, this market too is striving for electrification. It is doing so with the intention of curbing emissions. It is also doing so with the intention of plugging the supply and demand gaps which exist. The post Covid-19 situation has ensured that there is a significant change in the outlook in terms of providing transportation to millions of people as they look at returning to work and travel. While electrification of city buses, a domain that is largely with the public STUs, underway to an extent, and under the premise that these buses are capable of reaching every part of the city, electrification of buses is a factor that has many complexities attached to it. And, this despite the fact that buses are an important mode of transportation and their capacity can be rapidly increased with a modest capital input. Of the opinion that buses need to be put at the centre of policy and developed to full capacity, even if metro systems are implemented, Dr. A K Jindal, Advisor - e-Mobility, New products and Technology, Tata AutoComp Systems expressed that there are several advantages to be reaped. Buses are comprehensive and provide the required connectivity to the peri-urban and rural areas around the city, he added.