Tata Motors delivers 25 hybrid buses to MMRDA

Domestic commercial vehicle major Tata Motors today handed over 25 Starbus Series hybrid (electric-diesel) buses to the Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA), as part of the state government’s effort to adopt lower emission vehicles in public transport. These buses are the electrified version of Tata Motors’ Starbus.

The Union minister for Heavy Industries and Public Sector Enterprises, Anant Geete, said: “Our ministry is focused on promoting the FAME Scheme. We had invited all states and cities to take advantage of the subsidy towards adopting electrified vehicles that will reduce pollution in the cities. I am happy that MMRDA has taken a lead in adopting the new technology which will help Mumbai city reduce emission levels.”

R-L:Girish Wagh, president - CVBU, Tata Motors handing over the Tata Starbus Hybrid Electric bus to Union Minister for Heavy Industries Anant Geete and Devendra Fadnavis, chief minister of Maharashtra in the presence of Urvinder Pal Singh Madan, IAS, Metropolitan Commissioner, MMRDA.   

“I believe the next step will be moving from reduced emission to zero-percent emission. We cannot achieve this alone without the support from the automotive industry. We can be the guiding force, but it’s the industry which has to deliver the solution. My ministry has several responsibilities and ‘Make in India’ also is a big part of it. Today’s induction of the hybrid buses in public transport reiterates the message for the state-public transport system; the unit is not for making profit but for serving the people,” concluded Geete.

Maharashtra chief minister, Devendra Fadnavis, said: “The buses which will start commercial operations in Mumbai region and will help bring down emission levels in the city. The buses, which will operate in the Borivali to Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), Thane to BKC, Mulund to BKC, Kharghar to BKC in the morning hours and vice-versa in the evening, will help reduce the pollution in the commercial area of BKC, where there are number of private vehicles plying each day. The state-of-the-art buses in the afternoon will cater to local operation from BKC to nearby stations further reducing the congestion and pollution.”

The chief minister also claimed that the Maharashtra government has already drafted a policy towards having 100 percent electric public transport in the state, along with setting up of charging infrastructure to see faster and smoother transition.

The buses have been procured at a cost of Rs 2 crore each, totaling Rs 50 crore. The central government under the FAME scheme has provided a subsidy of Rs 15.25 crore (30%).

According to Tata Motors, the Starbus Series hybrid buses, which are the first electric-diesel buses to go on road in India, emit 30 percent less emissions and additionally give 28.24 percent in fuel savings.

Speaking to Autocar Professional, Girish Wagh, head, commercial vehicles, Tata Motors (pictured above), said: “We have been working on green technology from long back. In fact, having the IP, along with the manufacturing capabilities, makes it easier for us to deliver the product faster and at a competitive price.”

Wagh also revealed that under the FAME Scheme, Tata Motors has been the L1 bidder for delivering 190 e-buses to 10 cities, or around 62 percent of the total tender orders. Mentioning on how the company is working towards reducing the overall cost of the buses, Wagh stated that currently, the battery and motor for the Starbus is being imported and with additional volumes the company will be able to reduce the cost, along with other steps to further increase the level of localisation.

The order for the procurement of electrified bus was first reported in February 2016, when Tata Motors was the frontrunner for the tender. Tata Motor claims that Starbus is the first made in India hybrid bus. The key features being - regenerative braking, zero emssions when the bus stops, the vehicle platform is fully upgradabale to full-electric or fuel-cell, 300km range with 50-60km on electric-powertrain, gearless and cluthcless operation, GPS enabled, equipped with CCTV cameras, on-board ITS (including Wifi, GPS, FM radio, public information system among others), special areas for wheelechair, usb charging facility at every seat among others.