GUWAHATI, April 20 - The Assam government is procuring 25 electric buses under the FAME scheme, and Tata has bagged the tender to provide 15 buses in the first phase. The first electric bus is likely to ply in the city on the Kamakhya temple route this summer.
Under the FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufacture of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles) scheme, 60 per cent of the bus price is contributed by the Centre while the rest is provided by the states.
�Tata has got the contract to provide 15 buses in the first phase. We have already placed the work order. We hope to get the first lot in the next two months,� Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) managing director Anand Prakash Tiwari told The Assam Tribune.
Another 10 e-buses will be procured soon.
�Phase-wise, we will deploy them in all the routes to provide emission free communication in the city,� Tiwari said, adding that APDCL is in the process of installing charging stations at ISBT and ASTC�s Paltan Bazar complex.
The transport department has also prepared an EV policy and has submitted it to the government after discussions with stakeholders. The policy is awaiting Cabinet approval. An MoU has also been signed with NTPC for installation of 5 EV chargers.
�The electric vehicles are high-priced. But the EV policy will change the entire scenario. We will promote this in a different way. Once the policy is passed, people will start buying EVs. The policy will cover various aspects from procurement, cost of electricity, exemption and other promotional incentives,� Tiwari said.
There will be incentives for private players to operate e-buses in Assam. �The idea is to ensure 100 per cent EVs by 2029 in the entire state,� the MD added.
After a full charge, an AC e-bus carrying full load can ply up to 150 km under normal conditions. The 120kw battery is fully charged in two-and-a-half hours.
