**Summary:**
Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3753, answered on August 12, 2025, addresses the deployment and impact of electric public transport under the PM eDrive Scheme. The Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) has allocated Rs. 4,391 crore for the deployment of 14,028 electric buses (eBuses) in nine cities with populations exceeding 40 lakh: Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Surat, and Pune. The goal is to reduce emissions from public transport.
The procurement of eBuses will be facilitated through a competitive bidding process managed by Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL). Support for eBuses will be provided to State/City Transport Undertakings (STUs) based on an operational expenditure (OPEX) gross cost contract (GCC) model. CESL is coordinating with states for the rollout of eBuses under the PM eDrive scheme, and meetings have been conducted by both MHI and CESL. Cities have already submitted requests for eBus allotment.
Furthermore, the PM eDrive Scheme includes an allocation of Rs. 2,000 crore for the establishment of electric vehicle public charging stations (EV PCS) across India, including national highways and metropolitan cities. The government has clarified that setting up of EV charging stations is an unlicensed activity, encouraging participation from private entrepreneurs.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Heavy Industries: A ministry of the Government of India responsible for policies related to the heavy industry sector.
PM EDRIVE Scheme: A Government of India scheme focused on promoting electric mobility, particularly in public transportation, including deployment of ebuses and establishment of charging infrastructure.
SHRI KRIPANATH MALLAH: Member of Parliament who raised a question in Lok Sabha.
CESL: Convergence Energy Services Limited, an entity involved in the procurement of ebuses and coordination with states for the PM EDRIVE scheme.
Mumbai, Maharashtra: One of the nine cities initially selected for ebus deployment under the PM EDRIVE scheme.
Delhi, Delhi: One of the nine cities initially selected for ebus deployment under the PM EDRIVE scheme.
Bangalore, Karnataka: One of the nine cities initially selected for ebus deployment under the PM EDRIVE scheme.
National Highways: Roads maintained by the Central Government of India, where public charging stations for electric vehicles will be set up under the PM EDRIVE Scheme.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3753
ANSWERED ON 12.08.2025
PUBLIC TRANSPORT UNDER PM E-DRIVE SCHEME
3753. SHRI KRIPANATH MALLAH:
SHRI KAMAKHYA PRASAD TASA:
DR. VINOD KUMAR BIND:
SHRI PRATAP CHANDRA SARANGI:
SMT. BIJULI KALITA MEDHI:
DR. PRASHANT YADAORAO PADOLE:
Will the Minister of HEAVY INDUSTRIES be pleased to state:
(a) the scheme of the Government to measure the long-term emission impact of public transport
under PM e-Drive;
(b) the details of the schemes to expand the electric public transport network under PM e-DRIVE
in future;
(c) the measures of the Government to improve coordination with the States for successful
implementation of e-bus fleets;
(d) whether any roadmap has been prepared for setting up public charging stations on National
Highways and metros; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR HEAVY INDUSTRIES
(SHRI BHUPATHIRAJU SRINIVASA VARMA)
(a) to (c): Under the PM E-DRIVE Scheme, Rs.4,391 crore has been allocated towards
deployment of 14,028 e-buses, initially in nine cities with population of more than 40 lakh viz.
Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Surat, and Pune. This
aims to reduce the emissions by public transport.
Procurement of e-buses on aggregation model through competitive bidding by CESL.
Support for e-buses is provided through State/city transport undertakings (STUs) on operational
expenditure (OPEX)/ gross cost contract (GCC) model. CESL is coordinating with the States
for rollout of the e-buses under PM E-DRIVE scheme.
Meetings with states have been conducted by Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) and
CESL. Cities have submitted their request for allotment of e-buses.
(d) & (e): Setting up of electric vehicle charging stations is an unlicensed activity and
private entrepreneurs can 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 (EV PCS) on pan India basis including national highways and
metropolitan cities.
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