India Plan to Deploy 50,000 Buses, Gets Praised by John Kerry from US; Know Why

• Published On: 11 December 2023
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In the wake to set foot into transforming public transformation and curb pollution, India is going to buy around 50K buses worth around INR 1000 Crore.

The US Special Envoy on Climate Change, John Kerry, called India's transportation sector electrification drive "one of the most significant opportunities" and stated that the faster India moves forward with this initiative, the more it will mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, which will reduce pollution and improve the nation's overall security. 

Kerry confirmed that embracing rapid electrification not only works in lieu with the environmental goals but also imbues a cleaner, hefty sustainable, and secure future for India.

Kerry spoke at an event at the Indian Pavilion whilst the global climate talks COP28: “Electrification in India is one of the biggest opportunities that we have. The faster that India can do this, the more it cuts greenhouse gas emissions and it cuts pollution, it increases India’s security.”

He added that supply chains are a crucial part in India’s burgeoning economy, which as of now is observing the swift growth of new urban centres. 

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Encompassing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s imaginary concept of a circular economy and widening access to low-carbon public transport is a thrilling prospect, the former secretary of state spoke. 

India's pledge to electrify 50,000 buses is a big first step towards achieving this goal. Kerry emphasized the objective that the Modi administration had set forth. 

He went on to say that it is crucial to emphasize that this is a team effort. 

According to Kerry, the goal is to maximize domestic opportunities by implementing Indian solutions, especially in the effort to decarbonize the transportation sector.  

This programme expands on India's previous achievements in planning and executing the rollout of 50,000 electric cars, he continued, and represents a significant step towards environmentally responsible and sustainable transportation methods. 

Bhupendra Yadav, Environment Minister was also there at the gathering. 

Since buses serve the general public, prioritizing electric buses is crucial as a significant mode for decarbonizing the transport sector, according to Yadav. Adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) is crucial to achieving the goal of net zero emissions. 

He spoke that this alteration to EV buses, whatsoever, perplexed challenges to PTAs or public transport authorities owing to their high upfront costs and lower realisation of revenue from operations. 

According to Yadav, the India-US Payment Security Mechanism (PSM) for EV buses will serve as a catalyst for both domestic and foreign OEMs, or original equipment manufacturers, or bus operators, to engage in EV bus operations and potentially establish a manufacturing hub in the nation, thereby fostering the expansion of the e-bus sector and e-bus exports.