Uttar Pradesh is boosting sustainable urban mobility by adding 120 electric buses to the UPSRTC fleet, targeting key cities like Lucknow and Ayodhya. This move, part of the PM-eBus Sewa scheme, aims to cut emissions, improve air quality, and enhance public transport efficiency, aligning with India’s clean energy goals.
Uttar Pradesh Bolsters Eco-Friendly Public Transport
In a significant stride toward sustainable urban mobility, the Uttar Pradesh government has announced the addition of 120 electric buses to the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) fleet, building on the existing 100 electric buses already operational across the state. The tender process for these advanced, eco-friendly buses, equipped with modern amenities like real-time GPS tracking, CCTV surveillance, and air-conditioned cabins, is set to begin soon. The deployment will span key cities, with Aligarh and Moradabad each receiving 30 buses, while Lucknow, Ayodhya, and Gorakhpur will get 20 buses each, strategically distributed to optimize regional connectivity.
The initiative aligns with the central government’s PM-eBus Sewa scheme, launched in August 2023, which aims to deploy 10,000 electric buses across 169 Indian cities by 2027. Uttar Pradesh’s latest move is a part of this broader vision to decarbonize public transport and reduce urban air pollution, a pressing issue in a state with rapidly growing urban centers. According to Transport Minister Dayashankar Singh, the buses will ply specific routes to enhance accessibility: in Aligarh, routes include Aligarh-Noida via Jewar and Aligarh-Mathura; in Moradabad, key routes cover Moradabad-Kaushambi and Moradabad-Meerut; while Lucknow will see buses on the New Barabanki Station-Awadh Bus Station route. Ayodhya and Gorakhpur will also benefit from routes connecting major regional hubs, such as Ayodhya-Lucknow and Gorakhpur-Varanasi.
This expansion is expected to significantly reduce carbon emissions, with estimates suggesting that replacing diesel buses could cut CO2 emissions by thousands of metric tons annually, depending on the energy mix of the grid. The state is also investing in charging infrastructure, with plans to establish over 50 new charging stations to support the fleet. This follows the success of the first phase of the FAME India Scheme, under which Uttar Pradesh deployed 40 electric buses in Lucknow, demonstrating improved air quality and operational cost savings.
Industry experts highlight the economic and environmental benefits of this shift. “Electric buses offer lower operational costs compared to diesel, potentially saving UPSRTC millions in fuel expenses over the next decade,” said Saurabh Trivedi, a sustainable finance specialist at IEEFA. However, challenges remain, including high upfront costs and the need for a robust renewable energy grid to maximize emission reductions. Over 60% of the electricity powering these buses must come from renewable sources to achieve net-positive environmental gains, according to IEEFA analysts.
The deployment also supports India’s ambitious goal to replace 800,000 diesel buses nationwide with electric alternatives by 2030, as outlined in the PM-eBus Sewa and PM E-Drive schemes. Uttar Pradesh’s efforts are complemented by private sector involvement, with companies like PMI Electro Mobility and Switch Mobility supplying buses and collaborating on charging networks. GreenCell Mobility, a key player in India’s e-bus market, has also pledged to deploy over 1,200 electric buses in Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh, indicating a nationwide push for green transit.
Public response to the initiative has been positive, with commuters in Lucknow and Ayodhya expressing optimism about cleaner, quieter, and more reliable public transport. The state government is also exploring incentives like subsidized fares and free parking for electric vehicles to boost adoption. As Uttar Pradesh continues to urbanize, with cities like Lucknow projected to grow by 20% in population by 2030, such investments in sustainable transport are critical to managing congestion and pollution.
Disclaimer: This article is based on recent news reports, government announcements, and industry analyses available as of September 2025. Information is sourced from reputable outlets, including ETEnergyworld, Sustainable Bus, and Hindustan Times. All India Press does not independently verify the data provided by these sources.