Goldstone-BYD Delivers 6 Electric Buses To Mumbai For Public Transport

Goldstone Infratech, a joint venture between Hyderabad's Goldstone Group and China's auto manufacturer BYD, announced the delivery of six e-Buzz K7 electric buses to Mumbai Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) service. The metropolitan is the second city in Maharashtra to use electric buses after Nagpur. The new e-buses will be plying across the city of Mumbai offering emission free travel to commuters. The electric buses were purchases for Rs. 1.61 crore each, which is over two times the price of the conventionally powered buses.

(The Goldstone electric buses will carry the same fare as the conventional options)

While the Maharashtra government already operates hybrid buses from Volvo in Navi Mumbai, the all electric buses are a first in Mumbai. Goldstone says the e-Buzz K7 electric buses are ARAI certified and can cover up to 200 km in a single charge with speeds up to 70 kmph. The buses can carry up to 31 passengers. BEST also announced that there will be no hike in the fare for electric buses.

The new e-buses will be running on existing routes around Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSTM) and Churchgate station including route number 138 from Backbay depot to CSMT and the Fort Ferry route.

(Goldstone says its electric buses run at a cost of Rs. 8 per km, half to that of CNG buses)

While the range is limited, the e-buses are being charged using fast charging stations, which is currently set up at BEST's Backbay Depot and can fully charge the vehicle in 3-4 hours. The company also says that the new buses run at a cost of Rs. 8 per km, which is almost half when compared to CNG buses that run at a cost of Rs. 15 per km. Diesel buses run at a cost of Rs. 20 per km.

These aren't the first e-buses from Goldstone to ply in India though. The company delivered the e-Buzz K7 electric buses to the Himachal Pradesh government earlier this year and the same are being used btween Manali and Rohtang Pass.

The six e-buses were purchased at a price of Rs. 10 crore by the Maharashtra government, and if the project turns out to be viable, the state government will procure more buses in the future. The new e-buses, extending the same to the suburb areas.