India's largest e-bus tender deferred a third time as cos seek extension

The government has deferred the deadline to submit tenders under the electric bus incentive scheme for the third time as companies sought an extension, citing the festive season, according to an official in the know.

- Manas Pimpalkhare & Ayaan Kartik

The electric bus (e-bus) makers now have until 14 November against the earlier deadline of 6 November to submit their bids to supply e-buses for Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Surat, Ahmedabad, and New Delhi, according to a public document released on 4 November and confirmed by officials.

The ₹10,900-crore PM E-Drive scheme targets to deploy 14,028 e-buses in nine cities, with the government offering about 40% upfront to state utilities to acquire buses from e-bus makers, who will be paid on a per-kilometre basis.

The bidding for this tender was set to close in August, and was pushed to 14 October. It was then shifted to 6 November.