Visakhapatnam to get fifty electric buses in the next two months. According to TOI the Greater Visakhapatnam Smart City Corporation Limited (GVSCCL) will soon chalk out its routes.
M Vinay Kumar, SE Project (Smart city, APDRP, AMRUT and Other Projects) of Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation speaking to the publication said “We had a trial run in March and we are satisfied with the results. Procurement process for 50 such buses is on. Meanwhile, tenders have been invited to operate the services. We hope to introduce the service within the next two months.”
Each bus will be 12-metre in length and will take six hours to be fully charged, AC bus can cover 150 km, while non-AC bus will be able to cover up to 200 kms.
The electric busses will come equipped with automated gear system and computer monitored speed and brake system.
The official further added “The initial investments for these buses are high as it cost three to four times the price of a CNG or diesel bus. However, the recurring and maintenance cost is low and these buses would reduce pollution to a great extent.”
The report states that Andhra is set to procure around 1,500 energy efficient electric vehicles to run in several cities, including Tirupati and Vijayawada.