On Tuesday, the BEST management proclaimed that from now onwards, they will acquire and obtain on wet-lease electric AC buses only. Reports cite, that it went on to further elucidate that by the end of 2022, 45% of its fleet will be electric. In light of these moves that are environmentally driven, they have also resolved to transform all of its 250 diesel buses to CNG, in an attempt to curtail air pollution.
Lokesh Chandra, BEST General Manager spoke about this big decision to work towards cleaner fuel. They hope to not just offer their travellers noiseless and air-conditioned buses, but also attain zero-emission, comfort and a good suspension, reported the Times of India.
He spoke about how the e-bus strength of the BEST is 297 as 31 roomy which are 12-meter in length e-buses were added to its bag. They are confident of continuing on this trajectory and adding additional e-buses, hoping to take the number to 411 by December. Likewise, in 2022 they anticipate purchasing a total of 1,800 more buses, taking the tally to 2,211 by the end of 2022. BEST hopes that electric buses become the new normal for them.
By the end of next year, the hope that their fleet grows to 4,900, taking the e-bus strength to 45% by then.
Whilst the BEST has charging points at four bus depots presently, it hopes to add this facility to all 27 depots.
Aaditya Thackeray, Environment Minister, based on reports at an event elucidated his connection with the initiation of e-buses in BEST. He elaborated on how when the first six e-buses were introduced in 2017, he was motivated to continue on the said path.
Reports state that BEST is controlled by Shiv Sena and the young Thackeray has been a great advocate of taking them towards the sustainable path.
In the state’s Electric Vehicle Policy, public transport undertakings have to maintain a 15% electric vehicles fleet by 2025.
Also Read: Monthly Railway Passes In Mumbai To Be Issued From August 11
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