Bihar Govt Planning to Acquire Electric Buses Under FAME II

In a bid to moderate air pollution, the state transport department is planning to acquire at least 20 electric buses under Phase II of the FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles) scheme of the Centre.

Transport secretary Sanjay Kumar Agarwal told that a proposal in this regard had been sent to the Centre. Under the FAME scheme, the Union government would consent 60% of the amount essential for buying electric buses and the enduring 40% would be endured by the state government.

“The state government has by now launched electric cars. While booking for two-wheelers has started, electric buses will start plying on city roads by December-end,” Agarwal said.

Though, some Indian automobile dealers have started manufacturing electric buses, which once charged, can cover a distance of 150km. Also, they do not emit harmful smoke.

“A team of transport department officials has been sent to Kolkata and Mumbai to study the feasibility of electric buses. The state government will also come up with an electric vehicle policy soon,” the transport secretary told.