Major dip in cost of buying and operating electric buses, Govt data show

THE COST of buying and operating battery-powered buses and three-wheelers has seen a significant dip, following various government incentives aimed at increasing the acceptance of these vehicles for public transport, said sources.

Citing government data, sources said that the cost of operating a battery-powered three-wheeler has fallen by up to 25%, as compared to 2016-17. While an electric three-wheeler is currently priced at about Rs 3 lakh, its total cost of ownership (TCO) is about Rs 2.1/ km, as compared to Rs 2.8/km for its petrol variant and Rs 2.32 for its CNG variant.

The TCO of any vehicle is calculated on the basis of its acquisition and operational cost over the period of service.