Tata Motors launches electric & hybrid buses, 25 of them will ply on BKC-Bandra route
The Starbus Hybrid buses that will ply on BKC-Bandra route. Picture Courtesy: Vikram Gour
In a bid to make public transportation more environment friendly, Tata Motors on Wednesday launched a fully electric and hybrid buses, with indicative prices ranging between Rs 1.6 crore and Rs 2 crore.
With a 45 percent market share, Tata Motors is a leader in the commercial vehicles space in the country.
The company also showcased its LNG powered bus, along with unveiling a bus with fuel cell technology and electric versions of its light commercial vehicles SuperAce, Magic and Magic Iris.
“At Tata Motors our aim is to not only comply with emerging regulations of clean and green emissions but also be ahead of the requirements,” Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles Executive Director Ravindra Pisharody told reporters during launch.
The biggest opportunity for such buses are in metros for public transportation, he added.
The company has already received order for 25 units of Starbus Hybrid buses from MMRDA Mumbai and deliveries would commence in first quarter of 2017-18. The order was placed last year.
The hybrid buses will ply from BKC to Bandra, Kurla and Sion stations. By December, all 25 buses are expected to be operational on these routes.
The buses, however, will only be introduced after the civic elections due to the code of conduct.
Meanwhile, the company is also waiting to get clarity on subsidies for the segment.
“We have been consistently developing and manufacturing products that can contribute to CO2 reductions across all road transport segments and with early investments in new technologies, we are geared up to further strengthen our market leadership,” Pisharody said.
The company aims to play an active role in mass public transportation with the new range of future ready buses, he added.
When asked about the export plans, Pisharody said the company is ready to cater to orders from the overseas markets.
Commenting on market share in bus segment in domestic market, he said, “Traditionally we had a market share of 30-35 percent but due to large orders received it would jump to over 45 percent at the end of this fiscal.”
Tata Motors currently designs, develops and manufactures buses in Pune, Dharwad, Pantnagar and Lucknow. It also has a joint venture with Marcopolo of Brazil for fully built bus solutions. It also has an partnership with ACGL of Goa for bus bodies.
With agency inputs
