JBM Auto has delivered the prototype of an electric bus to the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC). Pictures of the electric bus were tweeted by the State’s minister for transport, Kailash Gahlot. The official launch of the bus into the fleet is expected later this month.

The launch is part of the government’s ongoing ‘Switch Delhi’ campaign launched last February. The campaign aimed to drive adoption of EVs in the state by spreading awareness and encouraging citizens to avail of incentives under the Delhi EV policy.

The policy set a target of bringing 500,000 EVs including two wheelers and cars by 2024. In 2017, the Delhi government had announced a target of 500 electric buses as part of a strategy to lower air pollution in the capital, and earmarked Rs 800 crore from the environment cess fund. The bus procurement target has since been more doubled.

JBM Ecolife
The prototype featured on the company’s website is similar in appearance to the Ecolife electric bus, measuring 9 metres and featuring a low-floor design. Under the hood is a four-pole asynchronous traction motor, and a lithium-ion battery pack that offers a driving range of up to 200km in between fast-charging cycles.

The lithium-ion battery powers the motor as well as auxiliary systems including the HVAC, steering pump and electrically-powered doors. The bus has several safety features including an EBS, ABS, EBD and traction control.