Tata Motors, the country's largest commercial vehicle manufacturer by volume, has announced installing complete electric vehicle charging infrastructure at the BEST (BrihanMumbai Electric Supply and Transport) bus depot, in Worli, Mumbai. The company says that the Worli depot is the fourth BEST bus depot to be electrified, after Backbay, Malvani and the Shivaji Nagar depot. Tata Motors has been delivering its electric buses to the city's civic transport provider for a while now, and the company says that with the installation of the new charging infrastructure, the company is enabling wider reach of the electric buses in Mumbai.
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Commenting on the development, Rohit Srivastava, Vice President, Product Line - Buses, Tata Motors said, "We are happy to announce the completion of the installation of the complete vehicle charging infrastructure at the Worli BEST depot in association with Tata Power under the unique 'One Tata' initiative. Tata Motors has been at the forefront of offering the best technology for alternate fuel and been the leading manufacturer of electric buses in India. We are proud to be associated with BEST for the deployment, maintenance and operations of the complete charging infrastructure along with the supply of the electric buses."
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The Worli depot is the fourth BEST bus depot to be electrified, after Backbay, Malvani and the Shivaji Nagar depot
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Lokesh Chandra, IAS, General Manager, BEST Undertaking, said, "We are delighted to start operations of electric buses from the Worli depot. The electrification of the fourth depot in Mumbai will enable a wider reach of environment-friendly electric buses and also enable newer routes for the benefit of the passengers. BEST stays committed to the electrification of its fleet and is pleased to be associated with Tata Motors in the feat."
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The inauguration of the Worli depot was held in the presence of Aaditya Thackeray, Cabinet Minister of Tourism and Environment, Maharashtra, Kishori Pednekar, Mayor of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Ashish Chemburkar, Chairman, BEST Undertaking committee, Lokesh Chandra, IAS, General Manager, BEST Undertaking, along with delegates from Government of Maharashtra, BEST and Tata Motors.
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undefinedAll of Mumbai's current fleet of 386 buses will be powered by renewable energy.
— Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) October 10, 2021
All new buses will be only electric, 1900 buses purchase tender launched and 200 electric double decker buses soon.
By 2023, 50% and, by 2027 we aim to have 100% electric bus fleet for Mumbai. pic.twitter.com/JwrFxpHXuF
In fact, recently, Aaditya Thackeray flagged-off 60 electric buses from the Worli Depot, completing phase 1 of inducting 386 electric buses in BEST's fleet. Now the government is gearing up for the next phase which will see 1900 electric buses being added to the BEST fleet. Thackeray says that going forward, all new buses will be only electric and the tender for 1900 buses purchase has been launched. The BEST will also induct 200 electric double decker buses soon. The state government aims to have 50 per cent electric bus fleet for Mumbai by 2023, and increase it to 100 per cent by 2027.
