Himachal Pradesh Expands Electric Bus Charging Network Across 80 Locations
Himachal Pradesh is significantly scaling up its electric bus infrastructure. Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, presiding over a review meeting with senior officials of the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) on Sunday, said charging stations are being established at 80 locations across the state at a cost of Rs 122 crore.
Agnihotri reported that charging stations have already been installed at 34 locations, while work at 21 more is expected to be completed within a month. The process of establishing stations at the remaining 25 locations is also underway. The charging stations are being set up at HRTC bus stands and workshops to facilitate the smooth and efficient operation of electric buses on various routes.
A total of 99 charging points are being established across the 80 locations, each equipped with 180-kilowatt fast CCS-2 chargers. The Deputy CM emphasized that the infrastructure is not being confined to major cities but will be expanded to other locations wherever required, as part of a phased development.
Currently, 297 electric buses are part of the HRTC fleet, operating on both long- and short-distance routes. Their operation is helping the Corporation save approximately Rs 15 to Rs 16 per kilometre in diesel expenditure, thereby reducing operational costs.
Agnihotri noted that an electric bus can generally travel around 180 kilometres on a single charge. However, on the approximately 270-kilometre Haroli-Chandigarh route, a bus is being successfully operated on a single charge. Similarly, on the approximately 250-kilometre Shimla-Chandigarh-Shimla route, the bus completes the journey with around 25% battery charge remaining.
The Deputy CM said the expansion of charging infrastructure, alongside the introduction of electric buses, is an important step towards developing a modern, economical and environment-friendly public transport system in the state.