C-40 team submits DPR for operating electric buses, charging points a challenge

The C-40 team, comprising James Alexander, Head of CFF, C-40 and Jurgen Baumann, Capacity Development and Municipal Expert, C-40, met Minister in his cabin at the Secretariat and discussed about the project. They also invited him for the Global Climate Action Summit to be held at San Francisco in the second week of September. 

Earlier, the team had visited various bus depots to check the infrastructure required to operate electric buses. According to officials in Transport Department the key requirement to operate the electric buses is the electric transformers to recharge the batteries of the electric buses and the team inspected various spots where the transformers can be set up. 

“The team visited Adyar bus depot and learnt about operation of buses in the city. The team spent four days in Chennai, from August 21 to 24 to learn the infrastructure facilities available to operate the buses and required infrastructure for the electric buses. Detailed discussions were made with Transport Department Secretary, PWC Davidar about the operation of electric buses,” said an official.

After meeting the C-40 team, the Minister, while addressing reporters, said that with the help of C-40 the state government is planning to operate electric buses to reduce pollution. Recently, an agreement was signed between Chief Minister, Edappadi K Palaniswami and C-40 and based on the agreement a team from C-40 visited the city. 

“The team visited various spots in Chennai to inspect the infrastructure and submitted DPR to me. The team discussed about practical difficulties faced by other foreign countries in operating the electric buses,” said the Minister. 

Vijayabhaskar also said that the state government is taking all possible steps to operate electric buses in select routes in Chennai, as early as possible. Though the cost of the buses is high the operating cost of the buses are low when compared to the buses operated with the help of diesel.

The only challenge lies in setting up of charging points for the buses, said Minister.