Pune, 10 January 2025: The Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) is set to add 50 new electric buses to its fleet by the end of January, marking another step towards cleaner and more efficient public transport in the city.
These buses are being manufactured by Hyderabad-based Olectra Greentech Limited and are currently undergoing inspection at the company’s facility. According to PMPML officials, 25 e-buses will reach Pune within the next four to five days, while the remaining 25 are expected to arrive in the third week of January.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is expected to flag off the new fleet from the Nigdi bus depot.
The buses are part of the 160 electric buses that PMPML was scheduled to receive last year. Out of this, 25 buses will be inducted into service after they receive final approval from the Central Institute of Road Transport (CIRT).
All 50 new e-buses will operate from the Nigdi bus depot. To handle the increased number of electric buses, PMPML is setting up five new DC fast chargers at the depot. These chargers will be able to fully charge a bus in about 40 to 50 minutes. At present, the depot has AC chargers, which take nearly three hours to charge one bus.
With the arrival of these new buses and faster charging facilities, PMPML aims to improve service efficiency while reducing pollution and fuel costs in Pune’s public transport system.