Delhi to add 2,800 AC low-floor electric buses, aims fleet of 14,000 by 2028

Delhi will add 2,800 air-conditioned low-floor electric buses over the next two years. The move is meant to widen access, improve last-mile connectivity and support cleaner air.A structured route rationalisation plan is being implemented to effectively integrate electric DEVI buses into Delhi's existing public transport network. (File photo)The Delhi government plans to add 2,800 air-conditioned low-floor electric buses over the next two years as part of its clean air push, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said on Saturday. She said the move would also support the government's goal of expanding the city's public bus fleet to nearly 14,000 buses by 2028-29.Gupta said the new buses would improve access to public transport while promoting cleaner mobility. "This will enhance the availability of public transport while promoting clean energy-based mobility and making a significant contribution to improving the capital's air quality," she said.According to the chief minister, the government is aiming to roll out these modern buses from April next year. "The entire fleet is expected to be integrated into Delhi's public transport system by August 2028," Gupta said in a statement.Of the 2,800 buses, 1,400 will be 12 metres long and the other 1,400 will be 9 metres long. Gupta said the 9-metre buses would be particularly useful on narrow roads and in rural areas, helping extend public transport beyond the main corridors and improving last-mile connectivity. Officials said the government had submitted its requirement for 2,800 electric buses to Convergence Energy Services Limited last year. "Based on operational experience with the Delhi Electric Vehicle Interconnector (DEVI) buses, the requirement was later revised and it was decided to procure an equal number of 12-metre and 9-metre buses. CESL adopted a nationwide competitive bidding process for the induction of all 2,800 buses, which will help ensure bus operations at competitive rates," the statement said.Gupta added that bus routes would be rationalised in collaboration with IIT Delhi to ensure efficient operations and better route planning, allowing more effective deployment of the expanded electric bus fleet. Overall, the plan combines fleet expansion, cleaner transport and route optimisation to strengthen Delhi's public bus system over the next few years. - EndsPublished By: India Today Web Desk Published On: Jul 18, 2026 20:46 IST