The Karnataka State Minister of Transportation - Ramalinga Reddy, representatives from Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), and BYD Company Ltd. gathered to launch a brand new program soon to change the skies of Bangalore, where often referred to as “the Silicon Valley of India.” This is a huge step for the Nation of India and will hopefully develop into a public transportation initiative across India benefiting their 1.2 billion citizens.

“Operating electric buses not only to initialize and support new technologies, shows our respect to the city and urban residents with our social and environmental responsibility,” stated the Transportation Minister in ceremonies in February.

Mr. Vishwas, Vice President of BYD India’s distribution partner, Utopia, said, "We are very bullish on the prospect of new energy vehicles in India. We look forward to working with BYD to promote the popularization of new energy vehicles." Mr. Liu Xueliang, GM of BYD’s Asia-Pacific Group, said, "BYD is offering zero-emission, electrified public transportation solutions to the whole world. We are very excited to work with partners like BMTC and Utopia to put India’s first electric bus into operation. It will not only contribute to the new energy vehicle development and application in Karnataka state but the whole of India."

Although the electric bus comes with a higher initial price tag, officials expressed confidence that the total cost of ownership for the vehicle would make initial investments well worth the price. The electric bus has been operating successfully in various European countries besides China, officials said. The bus fare will be equivalent to that of other buses, currently operating in the same urban areas. There are Bangalore, while the bus fleet emits up to 20% of the city's total exhaust. Given the difference of the electric price and diesel price, the BYD electric bus is not only zero emission but also has high economic value. Traditional diesel buses consume 0.55 L of diesel per kilometer in India, but by comparison, BYD's 40 foot all-electric bus only consumes about 1 kW electric per kilometer (with no HVAC). The results are that millions in cost savings can be realized in Bangalore. Last year, the Indian government reviewed the "national electric vehicle plan (2020)" and announced that India planned to put in place as many as 6-7 million new energy vehicles by 2020. The national heavy industry ministry is responsible for implementing the plan.

The first Zero-emission electric bus in India. (Source: BYD / Business Wire)