Major allocation under PM E-Drive accelerates Bengaluru’s e-bus rollout
Passenger bus operator Chartered Speed and electric bus manufacturer EKA Mobility have secured a Letter of Confirmation of Quantity (LOCQ) for the deployment of 1,750 electric buses in Bengaluru under the Government of India’s PM E-Drive Scheme. The allocation represents nearly 39% of the city’s planned induction of 4,500 electric buses, making it one of the most significant allocations under the programme so far.
The deployment is expected to play a critical role in reducing urban emissions and strengthening Bengaluru’s public transport infrastructure. PM E-Drive aims to support the adoption of electric buses across Indian cities through central assistance, enabling faster fleet replacement and improved operational economics for operators.
Chartered Speed strengthens position in electric public transport
This latest allocation builds on Chartered Speed’s earlier success in electric bus deployments. In early 2025, the company was awarded contracts for deploying over 1,000 electric buses under the Pradhan Mantri e-Bus Sewa Scheme, further expanding its footprint in India’s growing electric public transport segment.
Chartered Speed has steadily emerged as one of the leading private bus operators participating in government-backed electrification programmes. The company has indicated that it is targeting the conversion of around 25% of its total fleet to electric by FY2027, underlining a medium-term strategy aligned with national clean mobility objectives.
EKA Mobility’s growing role in India’s e-bus ecosystem
For EKA Mobility, the LOCQ strengthens its position as a key supplier in India’s electric bus manufacturing landscape. Large-volume deployments under schemes such as PM E-Drive and e-Bus Sewa provide manufacturers with visibility, scale, and opportunities to optimise localisation and supply chains.
The Bengaluru allocation also highlights how public-private collaboration is becoming central to India’s electric bus transition. With cities increasingly moving toward large, aggregated tenders, operators and OEMs capable of executing at scale are likely to play a decisive role in shaping the next phase of urban mobility electrification.
