Tata Motors has won an order from the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) for 148 units of its Starbus EV, reinforcing its position in the electric public transport sector. The order will be fulfilled by TML Smart City Mobility Solutions, a Tata Motors subsidiary that provides end-to-end electric bus solutions.
The 148 electric buses will be supplied, operated, and maintained by TML Smart City Mobility Solutions for a period of 12 years. The Starbus EV, a 12-meter electric bus, comes in two versions: a low-floor variant with a 40 cm height and a higher-floor variant with a 90 cm height. BMTC has opted for the low-floor version, which offers better accessibility and enhanced passenger comfort.
Equipped with a 400 kWh battery pack and a 245 kW motor, the low-floor version of the Starbus EV has a top speed of 70 km/h and the ability to navigate a 17% grade. The buses are designed with 35-seat and 17-seat configurations, the latter providing space for two wheelchair parking spots. For a smoother ride, the Starbus EV is also fitted with air suspension.
This new order adds to the fleet of electric buses already operating in Bengaluru, where BMTC had previously placed an order for 921 Starbus EVs in 2022. Tata Motors has already delivered most of these units, achieving an uptime of over 95%. “This additional order of 148 buses is a testament to the proven success of our Starbus EVs and the operational excellence delivered in Bengaluru’s urban environment,” said Asim Kumar Mukhopadhyay, CEO and MD of TML Smart City Mobility Solutions.
As of October 2024, BMTC operates a fleet of 1,113 electric buses from various brands. Tata Motors’ electric buses have collectively covered more than 25 million kilometers in Bengaluru, resulting in a reduction of approximately 14,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions.