Electrifying India’s buses: Insights from public deployment and case study of private intercity operators

In India, buses operated by private operators remain the country’s biggest missed opportunity for achieving net-zero climate goals. While buses make up just 1% of India’s vehicle fleet, they generate 15% of road transport emissions. Government schemes, procurement models, and demand aggregation have accelerated intra-city bus electrification. The intercity bus segment, where private players are dominant, could benefit from policies and initiatives to encourage the shift to electric models.

This study examines India’s bus sector, analyzing market structure, government and private electrification initiatives, early intercity e-bus business models, total cost of ownership, and key policy considerations.