According to the latest reports, the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST), citing the non-availability of technology in India rejected a proposal to operate buses only on solar energy made from panels atop the roof of the vehicles.
Based on accounts, previously in last October, BJP corporator and group leader in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Prabhakar Shinde had moved a notice of motion in the civic general body meeting to ply the buses on solar-powered energy.
Shinde was quoted by narratives elaborating on how the said nuance will help cut costs as well as manage financial losses. The BEST administration, thus, replied to his motion’s saying there isn’t any technology available in India for rooftop solar buses.
It has been reported that the body has given many technical issues for the scheme. The BEST reportedly elucidated on how the electricity generated through the solar panels is minute and running a bus on solar power needs mounting a considerable number of solar panels on rooftops.
The body further added that since these buses fall under the heavy vehicles section, installing a solar panel on the rooftop is not feasible.
On similar lines, the BEST has decided to turn its fleet of nearly 4,000 buses into electric vehicles by 2027 for clean energy. Presently, the BEST has 386 electric buses in Mumbai.