BEST launches emission-free electric buses in Mumbai

The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) has introduced four emission-free complete electric buses in Mumbai on Friday. These buses can cover a distance of 200 km on a single charge. 

The first batch of four buses will ply on seven routes in South Mumbai. 

The cost of one emission-free bus is Rs 1.61 crore which is more than double the price of regular buses. One bus requires three hours to charge over which it can run for 200 km. These vehicles will greatly help in cutting down air pollution and fuel cost.

One bus can accommodate 30 passengers and the fare will be same as CNG buses, officials said.

Depending on the success of the electric buses more buses might be purchased and run in the suburbs of Mumbai which are usually on feeder routes that connect localities to the railway stations, said an official.