**Executive Summary**
The document is a response to an unstarred question regarding the impact of the PM e-DRIVE scheme on public transport emissions, answered on December 9, 2025. The scheme, initiated on September 29, 2024, has allocated funds for deploying e-buses and setting up electric vehicle charging stations (EVPCS). Operational guidelines for EVPCS were released on September 26, 2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **PM e-DRIVE Scheme Overview:**
* The PM E-DRIVE Scheme was notified on September 29, 2024.
* It has an allocation of Rs. 4,391 crore for deploying 14,028 e-buses.
* The scheme initially targets nine cities with a population exceeding 40 lakh: Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Surat, and Pune.
* Aims to reduce emissions from public transport.
* **E-Bus Allocation and Procurement:**
* 4,500 e-buses have been allocated to Bengaluru under the scheme.
* E-bus procurement follows an aggregation model via competitive bidding, handled by Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL).
* State/city transport undertakings (STUs) provide support for e-buses via the operational expenditure (OPEX)/ gross cost contract (GCC) model.
* The Ministry of Heavy Industries and CESL coordinate with the nine cities, including Bengaluru, for e-bus rollout.
* **Electric Vehicle Public Charging Stations (EVPCS):**
* Setting up EVPCS is an unlicensed activity open to private entrepreneurs.
* Rs. 2,000 crore is allocated under the PM E-DRIVE scheme for EVPCS setup pan-India, including national highways and metropolitan cities like Bengaluru.
* Operational guidelines for EVPCS under the PM E-DRIVE scheme were released on September 26, 2025.
**Impact Analysis**
**Nine Initial Cities (Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Surat, Pune)**
* **Impact:** These cities are the initial beneficiaries of the e-bus deployment, aiming to reduce public transport emissions. Coordinated actions with the Ministry of Heavy Industries and CESL
* **Action Required:** Implement e-bus deployment strategies and coordinate with the Ministry of Heavy Industries and CESL.
**State/City Transport Undertakings (STUs)**
* **Impact:** STUs are responsible for supporting e-buses via OPEX/GCC models.
* **Action Required:** Provide operational support for e-buses.
**Private Entrepreneurs**
* **Impact:** Opportunity to participate in setting up electric vehicle charging stations.
* **Action Required:** Follow operational guidelines to set up EVPCS under the PM E-DRIVE scheme.
**Bengaluru**
* **Impact:** Bengaluru is receiving 4,500 e-buses and is included in the EVPCS rollout plan.
* **Action Required:** Implement e-bus deployment, coordinate with the State of Karnataka and the Ministry of Heavy Industries and CESL and facilitate EVPCS setup.
Key Entities Referenced
PM e-DRIVE Scheme: Scheme for promoting electric mobility in public transport, including deployment of e-buses and setting up charging stations.
Ministry of Heavy Industries: The central ministry responsible for the PM e-DRIVE scheme's implementation and coordination.
Bengaluru: A specific location highlighted for e-bus deployment and charging infrastructure development under the PM e-DRIVE scheme.
Karnataka: State where the electric public transport network is planned to be expanded under PM e-Drive.
Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL): Agency involved in the procurement of e-buses under the PM e-DRIVE scheme.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1562
ANSWERED ON 09.12.2025
IMPACT OF PM e-DRIVE ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT EMISSIONS
1562. SHRI P C MOHAN:
Will the Minister of HEAVY INDUSTRIES be pleased to state:
(a) the Government’s plan to measure the long-term impact of the PM e-Drive on public transport
emissions;
(b) the plans for expanding the electric public transport network under PM e-Drive in future in
Karnataka;
(c) the manner in which the Government is working to improve coordination with State of Karnataka
and specifically Bengaluru for rollout of e-Bus fleets;
(d) whether there is a roadmap for installing public charging stations across national highways and
in metro cities like Bengaluru; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR HEAVY INDUSTRIES
(SHRI BHUPATHIRAJU SRINIVASA VARMA)
(a): The PM E-DRIVE Scheme notified on 29/09/2024 has an allocation of Rs. 4,391 crore for
deployment of 14,028 e-buses, initially in nine cities with population of more than 40 lakh viz.
Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Surat, and Pune. This aims
to reduce the emissions by public transport.
(b) & (c): Under the PM E-DRIVE scheme, 4,500 e-buses have been allocated to Bengaluru.
Procurement of e-buses on aggregation model through competitive bidding is being carried out by
Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL). Support for e-buses is provided through State/city
transport undertakings (STUs) on operational expenditure (OPEX)/ gross cost contract (GCC)
model. The Ministry of Heavy Industries and CESL are co-ordinating with the nine cities including
Bengaluru for roll-out of e-buses under the scheme.
(d) & (e): Setting up of electric vehicle charging stations is an unlicensed activity and private
entrepreneurs may also participate in the activity. In addition to this, an allocation of Rs. 2,000 crore
has been made under the PM E-DRIVE scheme for setting up of Electric Vehicle Public Charging
Stations (EVPCS) on pan India basis including national highways and metropolitan cities like
Bengaluru. Operational guidelines for EVPCS under PM E-DRIVE scheme have been released on
26th September, 2025.
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