**Summary:**
The Ministry of Heavy Industries addressed questions regarding the PM eDrive Scheme in Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3753 on August 12, 2025. The scheme aims to measure the long-term emission impact of public transport and expand the electric public transport network. A total of Rs. 4,391 crore has been allocated under the PM eDrive Scheme 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 procurement of ebuses will be facilitated through a competitive bidding process managed by Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL). State/city transport undertakings (STUs) will receive support for ebuses based on an operational expenditure (OPEX) gross cost contract (GCC) model. CESL is coordinating with the States and the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) to ensure the successful rollout of ebuses under the PM eDrive Scheme. The cities have already submitted requests for ebus allotment. Furthermore, the government has allocated Rs. 2,000 crore under the PM eDrive Scheme for setting up electric vehicle public charging stations (EV PCS) across India, including national highways and metropolitan cities. Setting up of charging stations is an unlicensed activity allowing participation of private entrepreneurs. The Minister of State for Heavy Industries, Shri Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma, provided the answers to the posed questions.
Key Entities Referenced
PM EDRIVE Scheme: A Government of India scheme to promote electric mobility, with a focus on deploying electric buses (ebuses) and establishing public charging stations.
Ministry of Heavy Industries: The Indian government ministry responsible for formulating policies and coordinating programs related to the heavy industries sector, including the PM EDRIVE scheme.
Mumbai, Maharashtra: One of the nine cities with a population of more than 40 lakh initially selected for ebus deployment under the PM EDRIVE Scheme.
Delhi, Delhi: One of the nine cities with a population of more than 40 lakh initially selected for ebus deployment under the PM EDRIVE Scheme.
Bangalore, Karnataka: One of the nine cities with a population of more than 40 lakh initially selected for ebus deployment under the PM EDRIVE Scheme.
Hyderabad, Telangana: One of the nine cities with a population of more than 40 lakh initially selected for ebus deployment under the PM EDRIVE Scheme.
Ahmedabad, Gujarat: One of the nine cities with a population of more than 40 lakh initially selected for ebus deployment under the PM EDRIVE Scheme.
Chennai, Tamil Nadu: One of the nine cities with a population of more than 40 lakh initially selected for ebus deployment 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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