Delhi is making a big move to help everyone breathe easier. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta just announced a new plan to change all city buses to electric by the end of 2026, according to AutoCarPro. This could mean less smoke in the air you breathe every day.
The plan is called DEVi, which stands for Delhi Electric Vehicle Interconnector. The city has already started by putting 400 new electric buses on the roads in East and West Delhi. These quiet buses now run in areas like Ghazipur, Vinod Nagar East, and Nangloi.
Current and Future Bus Numbers
Right now, Delhi has 7,683 total buses with 1,970 being electric ones, making up about 25% of all buses, according to Hindu. The government wants to increase this number quickly.
| Timeline | Total Buses | Electric Buses | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 2024 | 7,683 | 1,970 | 25% |
| End of 2024 | 9,763 | 4,050 | 41% |
| By 2025 | 10,480 | 8,280 | 80% |
| End of 2026 | All public transport | 100% electric | 100% |
The Delhi government has set aside ₹9,000 crore (90 billion rupees) to buy more electric buses and build charging stations, according to ThePrint. This big investment shows how serious they are about this change.
Health Benefits for Everyone
Cars and buses create almost half (45%) of Delhi’s air pollution. Changing to electric buses could make the air much cleaner for everyone.
- Replacing diesel buses with electric ones could cut harmful emissions by nearly 75%
- This change could prevent about 1,370 deaths and 2,800 hospital visits every year
- Electric buses will reduce PM2.5 pollution (tiny harmful particles in air) by 44 tons each year
According to ScienceDirect, these improvements will lead to better health and economic benefits for the whole city.
Making Electric Vehicles More Affordable
The government is offering money to help people buy electric vehicles. The support ranges from ₹10,000 to ₹15 lakh depending on the vehicle type.
- In March 2024, ₹179 crore was given to help people buy electric vehicles
- ₹64 crore went to two-wheeler buyers
- Over ₹100 crore supported three-wheeler purchases
According to TimesOfIndia, Delhi reached a 19.5% electric vehicle share in new sales in December 2023, the highest in India. The city plans to build 13,700 charging stations by 2030.
The Delhi Government has introduced 255 DEVi electric buses, equipped with comfortable seating, wheelchair access, low-floor design, and air suspension, to improve city transport.
What This Change Means
As you travel around Delhi in the coming years, you’ll see more electric buses and fewer diesel ones. The air you breathe should get cleaner. With free travel for women on these new buses, your daily commute might become both cheaper and better for your health.
