Himachal Pradesh took another major stride toward clean, sustainable public transit today as CM Sukhu virtually flagged off 25 new electric buses for Mandi district from the Paddal ground. The launch marks a pivotal step in the state’s broader effort to modernize the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) and shift its public transportation network toward zero-emission alternatives.
The newly deployed fleet is part of a larger state initiative to acquire 297 type-I electric buses. While electric bus services are already running across key regions like Shimla, Dharamshala, Hamirpur, and Una, the expansion into Mandi, Kullu, and Sundernagar has been made possible by the rollout of dedicated charging infrastructure. Operating with a standard driving range of approximately 180 kilometers at an 80 percent charge, these buses have shown impressive results in the state’s challenging terrain—even covering nearly 270 kilometers on a single charge on the Shimla–Chandigarh route.
Beyond environmental benefits, the transition to electric mobility is delivering substantial financial relief to the transport corporation. Running electric buses reduces energy costs by approximately ₹12 to ₹13 per kilometer compared to traditional diesel vehicles, lowering overall operational expenditure while cutting carbon emissions and fossil fuel reliance.
Looking ahead, the state government has set an ambitious target to make HRTC completely self-reliant within the next five years. Currently backed by an annual state grant-in-aid of ₹840 crore to match its internal revenue, the corporation’s fleet will expand even further with planned procurements of 1,000 additional electric buses and 200 hydrogen-powered buses, bringing the state’s “Green Himachal” vision into daily operational reality.
Nurturing Creativity – Keekli Charitable Trust, Shimla
