Archive · 28 Oct 2025
BEST Inducts 150 Electric Buses for Greener Mumbai Transport
Mumbai's bus service, BEST, has received 150 new electric buses to make traveling cleaner and better.
The Chief Minister was there to see the new buses, which are quiet and don't make the air dirty.
These buses will help people get around busy areas and connect them to train stations and metro lines.
They even have special ramps for older people and those with disabilities.
The buses have cameras and special systems to keep track of them.
There are two different kinds of buses from two companies, PMI and Olectra.
One kind is easier to get on and off because it's lower, while the other can travel a bit farther on one charge.
BEST wants all its buses to be electric by 2027 to help keep Mumbai's air clean.
The transport body has many buses already, both owned and leased, and these new ones will help serve millions of people every day.
BEST has inducted 150 new electric buses at its Colaba depot.
The induction aims to strengthen the fleet, improve last-mile connectivity, and promote pollution-free transport.
The new buses include 115 from PMI Electro Mobility and 35 from Olectra Greentech, operating under a wet lease arrangement.
Features include accessibility ramps, vehicle tracking systems, passenger information systems, and CCTV cameras.
BEST aims to achieve a 100% zero-emission fleet by 2026-27.
- Who
- Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST), Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Tourism and Skill Development Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha, Minister of Cultural Affairs Ashish Shelar, Sonia Sethi (General Manager of BEST), PMI Electro Mobility Pvt Ltd, Mumbadevi Mobility Pvt Ltd, Olectra Greentech Ltd, Evey Trans Maharashtra Pvt Ltd
- What
- 150 new fully-electric buses were inducted into the BEST fleet.
- When
- Recent induction, with a target for a 100% zero-emission fleet by 2026-27.
- Where
- Colaba depot, Mumbai
- Why
- To strengthen the bus service, improve capacity on busy routes, enhance first and last-mile connectivity, and promote a pollution-free and sustainable transport system for Mumbai.
PMI Buses
Olectra Buses
Accessibility
PMI Buses
PMI buses have a lower floor height (400 mm), making them more accessible for passengers on urban routes.
Olectra Buses
Olectra buses have a higher floor height (900 mm).
Range per Charge
PMI Buses
PMI buses have a range of 289 km per charge.
Olectra Buses
Olectra buses offer a longer range of 357 km per charge.
Battery Capacity
PMI Buses
PMI buses use a 366.6 kWh battery.
Olectra Buses
Olectra buses use a 276.48 kWh battery.
Additional Features
PMI Buses
PMI buses are equipped with passenger saloon fans.
Olectra Buses
Olectra buses include mobile charging ports.
- Electric Buses Inducted
- 150
- Buses Supplied by PMI
- 115
- Buses Supplied by Olectra
- 35
- Arrangement
- Wet lease
- PMI Bus Range
- 289 km
- Olectra Bus Range
- 357 km
- Total BEST Buses
- 2,690 (298 owned, 2,311 on lease)
- Zero-Emission Fleet Target
- 2026-27
Sources
Mumbai: BEST Faces Deepening Crisis As E-Bus Supplier Fails To Deliver; Allegations Of Favouritism And Mismanagement Mount
Bengaluru blues: Why a 20-fold spike in electric bus breakdowns has BMTC spooked?
157 electric buses inducted into BEST fleet; CM says 5,000 such vehicles to be added in phases