GreenCell Mobility plans to deploy 75 battery-electric buses for public transport in Puducherry as part of India’s national electrification programme for urban bus fleets.
The project will operate under the government’s PM-eBus Sewa Scheme and was announced during an event in the city by Narendra Modi. According to the announcement, the contract includes twelve years of operation and maintenance and has a total value of about 5.3197 billion rupees (roughly €50 million).
GreenCell Mobility said the buses will be based at the Mettupalayam Bus Depot and are intended to strengthen urban mobility and last-mile connectivity across Puducherry.
The fleet will consist of 25 nine-metre buses and 50 twelve-metre buses supplied by EKA Mobility, headquartered in Pune.
EKA’s twelve-metre electric bus is equipped with a 240 kW motor and a 300 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery pack. The model offers a maximum speed of 80 km/h, can handle gradients of up to 17%, and has an estimated driving range of up to 250 kilometres. It is available in configurations accommodating up to 43 or 54 passengers, including versions designed for passengers with reduced mobility.
The nine-metre variant uses a 213 kW electric motor paired with a 200 kWh LFP battery pack and is offered in 33- and 35-seat configurations as well as an accessible layout. The bus also reaches a top speed of 80 km/h, manages gradients of up to 17%, and offers a range of up to 180 kilometres.
Both vehicle types will be equipped with air-conditioning systems suited to the region’s hot and humid climate. GreenCell Mobility said seating arrangements will be configured to accommodate passengers with disabilities.
“With Puducherry, we are reinforcing our commitment to develop sustainable public transport ecosystems across India’s emerging urban centres,” said Devndra Chawla.
GreenCell Mobility currently operates more than 1,200 electric buses on intra-city and intercity routes across India. The company also runs about 300 electric coaches through its intercity brand NueGo and supports its fleet with a network of around 270 charging stations nationwide.