Calcutta makes rapid strides in replacing diesel public buses with electric ones

The city has made rapid strides in its programme to replace its diesel driven public buses with electric ones.

A global study says Calcutta has electrified 4.7 per cent of its buses and is ranked third after Shanghai which has electrified its entire fleet and Santiago which has electrified 8 per cent of its fleet.

Calcutta is followed by London (2.2 per cent), Izmir in Turkey (1.3 per cent). In terms of the actual number of buses electrified, the city is fourth at 80 buses below Shenzen, Santiago at 776 buses and London 376.

Electrification of buses, a mass rapid transport, is one of the key solutions to the common urban problems of pollution and congestion. Rapid advances in technology, with electric buses improving range, power and reliability are encouraging cities around the world to electrify their buses.