EKA Mobility Hyderabad Electric Bus Contract for 915 Units Under PM E-DRIVE

A major step in India’s urban electrification journey has been marked through the EKA Mobility Hyderabad electric bus contract, awarded in partnership with GreenCell Mobility. The Letter of Award covers the supply and deployment of 915 electric buses in Hyderabad under the Government’s PM E-DRIVE initiative. With India focusing on cleaner mobility solutions, this development highlights growing momentum in large-scale electric public transport deployment and infrastructure integration across metropolitan cities.

Contract Scope and Operational Framework

The awarded project includes 100 nine-metre and 815 twelve-metre standard-floor non-air-conditioned electric buses tailored for city operations. Under the Gross Cost Contract structure led by Convergence Energy Services Limited, the consortium is responsible for end-to-end execution including procurement, fleet operations, maintenance, and development of charging infrastructure. The city transport authority will compensate the operator based on a fixed per-kilometre rate, while fare collection remains under government control, ensuring operational consistency and risk distribution.

PM E-DRIVE Scheme and National Deployment Strategy

The PM E-DRIVE scheme represents a large-scale push to electrify public transport, supported by subsidies amounting to approximately Rs 4,391 crore. The program targets deployment of over 14,000 electric buses across nine major cities with populations exceeding 40 lakh. Hyderabad is among the key cities alongside Delhi, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, and Surat, with an allocation of up to 2,000 buses. The 915-unit contract represents the initial phase of a broader rollout under this national electrification strategy.

Tender Scale and Participation

The tendering process concluded in December 2025 covered 10,900 buses, attracting participation from 16 bidders, out of which 14 were technically qualified. The scheme, effective from October 2024, is designed to accelerate EV adoption, expand charging infrastructure, and strengthen domestic manufacturing capabilities. The aggregation-based procurement approach enables cost optimization and standardization across multiple cities.

Consortium Expansion and Previous Deployments

The Hyderabad contract strengthens the growing collaboration between EKA Mobility and GreenCell Mobility. Earlier in the year, the consortium secured a 750-bus contract across Andhra Pradesh and executed projects in Rajasthan and Puducherry. In Puducherry, 75 buses are already operational under the PM E-Bus Sewa scheme, demonstrating the consortium’s execution capability and scalability across diverse regions.

Company Capabilities and Growth Strategy

EKA Mobility, headquartered in Pune, operates as an electric commercial vehicle manufacturer with multiple platform offerings. Its portfolio includes buses ranging from seven-metre feeder vehicles to twelve-metre high-capacity models, along with electric trucks and small commercial vehicles. Strategic collaborations with global partners and investments have supported its expansion into a multi-platform EV manufacturer catering to various mobility segments.

GreenCell Mobility Operational Model

GreenCell Mobility plays a critical role as an operator, managing procurement, deployment, maintenance, and charging infrastructure. The company operates over 270 charging stations and plans to significantly expand its fleet from approximately 1,200 to 3,700 vehicles. Its asset-light operational model, backed by institutional investments, enables efficient execution of long-term contracts with state transport authorities.

Market Impact and Electrification Potential

India’s public transport ecosystem presents significant opportunities for electrification, with around 800,000 public buses and 1.2 million private buses currently in operation. Transitioning even a fraction of this fleet to electric mobility can deliver substantial environmental benefits. Industry estimates suggest that each electric bus can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 100 tonnes annually compared to diesel alternatives, reinforcing the importance of such large-scale deployments.

The Hyderabad deployment under the PM E-DRIVE scheme demonstrates how coordinated policy support, private sector participation, and scalable business models can accelerate the transition toward sustainable urban mobility while strengthening the domestic electric vehicle ecosystem.