Mumbai electric buses with longer operating ranges are set to expand the BEST fleet, with new vehicles arriving at the Magathane depot and more expected to be inducted within a week, according to a Times of India report citing a senior official. However, the report contains conflicting figures on the number already delivered and the total being rolled out, requiring confirmation from BEST and the manufacturer.
The article says nine new electric buses arrived at the Magathane depot on Saturday, while a total of 49 next-generation vehicles are expected to arrive within a week. Its headline and summary, however, refer to 38 buses arriving. The difference is material because it affects the reported scale of the induction and the size of the immediate expansion in BEST’s operating fleet.
The vehicles are manufactured by Olectra Greentech Limited and use Blade Battery technology based on lithium iron phosphate, or LFP, cells. According to the report, the batteries are integrated directly into the bus chassis and are designed to provide longer range, improved stability and more efficient use of space.
A senior official quoted in the report said BEST currently operates more than 2,800 buses and that the new induction could take the fleet beyond 2,900. The official said the new buses would be deployed on longer routes linking south Mumbai with the suburbs, as well as on some services connecting the city with Navi Mumbai.
The reported operating range is significantly higher than that of existing electric buses in the BEST fleet. While current electric buses cover about 250 km on a single charge, the new vehicles are reported to have a range of between 325 km and 500 km. The report says the buses are expected to maintain a minimum range of 325 km even on congested city roads, potentially allowing up to two days of continuous operation without returning to a depot for recharging.
Charging times are also expected to reduce the pressure on depot operations. According to information cited by the report, high-power depot direct-current fast chargers can raise battery capacity from 30% to 80% in 30 to 45 minutes. A full charge is reported to take one to two hours, with the longer top-up period intended to protect battery-cell health.
The battery design is also being presented as a safety and lifecycle measure. An Olectra Greentech official quoted by the report said Blade Battery technology is designed to withstand extreme climatic conditions and is safer when damaged in an accident. The report further states that the batteries can last for more than 5,000 charge cycles, which could reduce replacement and maintenance costs over the operating life of the buses.
For Mumbai’s bus system, the immediate operational question is whether the longer range can support extended routes with fewer depot returns while maintaining reliable service. That will depend on the final number of vehicles delivered, their deployment schedule, charger availability and the routes selected by BEST. These details, along with the discrepancy between the reported delivery figures, remain to be clarified through an official confirmation.
