Electric Transport Systems

Odisha has initiated a deployment of EKA 9M electric buses for the Capital Region Urban Transport network, with a planned fleet of 100 zero‑emission buses delivered in partnership with Travel Time Mobility to strengthen public transport and reduce local emissions.

The rollout introduces EKA 9M buses configured for urban service, with approximately 35 seats and wheelchair access, and is intended to support last‑mile connectivity and modal shift away from diesel buses; the deployment was flagged off by the state government as part of a broader electrification strategy for the capital region. From an operational perspective, stakeholders should consider charging infrastructure siting, depot power upgrades, driver and technician training, and service scheduling to optimize range and turnaround. Performance monitoring of energy consumption, uptime, and passenger load factors will be important to validate emissions reductions and total cost of ownership relative to conventional buses, and procurement teams should confirm warranty, maintenance support, and parts supply arrangements with the manufacturer and operating partner before scaling the programme.

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