Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking (BEST) of Mumbai, considered the main blood vessels of the city complementing the life-line local trains, has infused new blood into its stream in the form of full electric buses from Goldstone Infratech.
With this, BEST becomes the first organization in Maharashtra to acquire pure electric buses and second in the country after Himachal Pradesh to adopt electric technology for public transportation. The common link between both transport undertakings is Goldstone Infratech, the only company in the country till date to successfully deliver commercially viable and environment-friendly electric buses to the State Governments.
The official ribbon cutting ceremony was performed by Mr. Aditya Thackeray, Chief of Yuva Sena, youth wing of Shiv-Sena, along with Mr. Vishwanath Mahadeshwar, Mayor of Mumbai, in the presence of Mr. Anil S. Kokil, Chairman, BEST Committee, Mr. Surendrakumar Bagde, General Manager, BEST, and several other dignitaries.
The Union Government, in its vision, is clear towards the cause of environment. India aspires to achieve electromobility by 2030. The efforts in Himachal Pradesh and now in BEST in Maharashtra are baby steps towards the goal.
“The new electric buses will operate at a cost of Rs. 8 per km compared to CNG that operates at a cost of Rs. 15 per km and diesel Rs. 20 per km. The charging infrastructure has been set up at BEST’s backbay depot and the time a bus will take for full charge is approximately three-four hours, using the fast charger,” beamed Mr. Anil Kokil.
Electric buses can save the environment, being zero in emission as against upto 48000 kg of CO2 and other gases emanated by buses using conventional fuels. BEST has acquired the K7 electric buses that can cover upto 200 km on single charge at speeds of 70 km per hour and carry upto 31 passengers. These are ARAI certified and are successfully being used in high altitudes, between Manali and Rohtang pass, by the Himachal Pradesh Transport Corporation (HPTC). Starting its initial operation on a few existing routes in South Mumbai, these non-AC e-buses will not have higher ticket price but will continue with the existing ticket costs in the non-electric buses.
It was in 2016 that the Goldstone Group forayed into electric mobility to produce buses in India with a tie-up with BYD. The company has been testing its e-bus in various parts of the country like Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Rajkot.
Said a Goldstone spokesperson, “We are happy to partner with the State Governments in order to help them with safe, comfortable and emission-free travel.”