Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL), a public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Power, is set to open bids on 6 November for the procurement of 10,900 electric buses under its mega e-mobility initiative. The large-scale tender covers five major metropolitan cities — Bengaluru, New Delhi, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and Surat — marking one of India’s most ambitious steps towards greening its public transport network.
According to senior officials, the initiative forms part of the PM e-Bus Sewa programme and reflects the government’s broader goal of electrifying public transport infrastructure while reducing urban pollution. The proposed allocation includes 4,500 e-buses for Bengaluru, 2,800 for Delhi, 2,000 for Hyderabad, 1,000 for Ahmedabad, and 600 for Surat. The pre-bid phase attracted extensive participation from both domestic and international manufacturers, signalling strong industry confidence in India’s electric mobility market. Officials noted that clarifications raised during the pre-bid process have now been addressed, leading CESL to extend the final submission date for bids to early November.
Experts describe the tender as a critical milestone for India’s clean mobility transition, especially in the public transport sector, which remains a major contributor to urban emissions. By replacing diesel-run fleets with zero-emission buses, cities stand to gain both environmental and economic benefits, including lower operating costs, cleaner air, and improved commuter experience. The project is backed by multiple national initiatives such as the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (FAME I & II), the Electric Mobility Promotion Scheme, and the PM e-Drive. Collectively, these programmes are designed to accelerate the adoption of e-buses and strengthen India’s position as a global leader in sustainable transportation.
Officials also confirmed that Andhra Pradesh has been identified as one of the most proactive states in adopting energy-efficient mobility frameworks. CESL has already begun preparing an action plan for implementing its e-bus programme in Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Rajahmundry, Nellore, and Tirupati — a move aimed at ensuring equitable access to green mobility across both Tier I and Tier II cities. Industry observers believe that the success of this tender could serve as a template for future mobility projects across India. If executed efficiently, the deployment of over 10,000 e-buses could help India cut millions of tonnes of carbon emissions annually, marking a defining step in its path toward a zero-net carbon future.
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