The demand exceeds the scheme’s permitted 20% variation from initial estimates and may require a fresh government initiative. Several states are also seeking e-buses for inter-city routes.

The procurement process for 13,800 e-buses under the scheme has concluded, comprising 10,900 buses under the first tender and 2,900 buses under the second.

New Delhi: States have sought more than 10,000 additional electric buses on top of the 14,028 units planned under the PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) scheme, officials said. While the scheme allows a 20 per cent variation from states' original estimates, the latest requests are substantially higher and may require a fresh government initiative, they said. "Many state governments have exceeded initial estimates and want additional electric buses," a senior official told ET on condition of anonymity, adding that the West Bengal, Delhi, Telangana and Karnataka governments and state transport undertakings are likely to make formal requests. Advt

States including Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh have also sought e-buses for use on inter-city routes. "Till now the PM E-DRIVE has catered only to intra-city needs," the official said. Under the PM E-DRIVE scheme , the Centre invites bids, leading to price discovery of e-buses. The states then place a demand for e-buses with the Union heavy industries ministry. Electric buses corner the largest share of subsidy allocation under the scheme, with ₹4,391 crore earmarked for deployment across large cities. The procurement process for 13,800 e-buses under the scheme has concluded, comprising 10,900 buses under the first tender and 2,900 buses under the second.

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