New Delhi: The Centre is examining a proposal to introduce 18-metre bi-articulated electric buses equipped with flash charging technology to strengthen high-capacity and clean public transport in urban areas, Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H D Kumaraswamy said.
Kumaraswamy chaired a meeting to review the proposal for a Flash Charging-based Articulated Electric Bus System, which envisages deployment of electric buses capable of carrying around 130 passengers.
Under the proposed system, the buses would use rapid flash or opportunity charging during short stops, enabling continuous operations while reducing charging downtime, according to the Ministry of Heavy Industries.
The proposal was presented by Additional Secretary, Ministry of Heavy Industries, Hanif Qureshi. Senior officials from the Ministry of Heavy Industries, NITI Aayog, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Ministry of Power, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and the Department of Science and Technology participated in the meeting.
Representatives from the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT) and industry were also present.
The meeting discussed the potential of flash-charging technology and articulated electric buses to provide efficient, high-capacity and sustainable public transport solutions.
The proposed system is aimed at supporting future-ready urban mobility by combining high passenger capacity with reduced charging downtime, the ministry said.