India's PM e-Drive Scheme Boosts Electric Bus Deployment in Major Cities

Under the ambitious PM e-Drive Scheme, the Indian government is set to deploy 14,028 electric buses across major cities by March 2026, with a budget of Rs 10,900 crore. Bengaluru leads the initiative, securing 4,500 buses, while Delhi and Hyderabad will receive 2,800 and 2,000 buses, respectively. Ahmedabad and Surat are allocated 1,000 and 600 buses, Union Minister for Heavy Industries & Steel HD Kumaraswamy announced after a meeting in New Delhi.

Cleaner, greener city travel is the goal. “From Bengaluru to Delhi, cities are embracing electric buses to make public transport cleaner, smarter, and more efficient,” Kumaraswamy shared after a New Delhi meeting. This massive push for electric public transport is all about sustainability, with the government teaming up with states to get things rolling smoothly.

Key Highlights:

• India will deploy 14,028 electric buses in major cities by March 2026 under the Rs 10,900 crore PM e-Drive Scheme
• Bengaluru, Delhi, and Hyderabad lead the rollout, with 4,500, 2,800, and 2,000 buses allocated respectively
• The initiative aims to cut urban pollution and improve public transport, with charging infrastructure and manufacturer coordination underway.

Some 3,000 buses are still up for grabs since Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai haven’t sent in their requests. Kumaraswamy noted that Karnataka might snag 500–1,000 more buses and Telangana around 400 if those cities don’t step up soon. Cities also need to set up charging stations to keep these buses powered.

Also read: JBM EV & Hitachi ZeroCarbon Partners to Boost Battery Tech in Electric Buses

Learning from past hiccups with the FAME scheme, which stalled in Bengaluru over approvals, this plan aims to cut urban pollution and make commuting better. Kumaraswamy’s meeting with manufacturers soon to iron out details. The scheme ties into Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dream of green, accessible transport, putting India on the map for sustainable cities.