The Indian government is preparing to launch a new tender for more than 3,000 electric buses by June as part of its broader strategy to expand clean public transport and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
According to the Mint report, the tender will be issued under the PM e-Bus Sewa Scheme, which aims to support the deployment of 10,000 electric buses in cities across the country through central subsidies.
With the upcoming tender, the number of e-buses put out for bidding in the past year could approach 20,000 units.
The procurement process will be managed by Convergence Energy Services Limited, which aggregates demand from various state transport authorities and runs large-scale electric bus tenders on behalf of the government.
"Final numbers will be confirmed by MoHUA (Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs) after the elections and the model code of conduct in the states is over," a CESL spokesperson was quoted as saying by MInt.
The new tender may include between 3,000 and 3,700 buses. The announcement is expected once election-related restrictions end in states such as Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal.
India's electric bus programme has gathered pace in recent years as the government shifts incentives towards heavy electric vehicles, including buses and trucks, rather than two- and three-wheelers.
The policy shift is also linked to energy security concerns, as disruptions in global oil markets, partly linked to tensions in West Asia, continue to influence fuel costs.
Earlier, under the PM E-Drive Scheme, the Centre floated a tender in 2025 to deploy 10,900 electric buses in major cities, one of the largest initiatives of its kind globally.
Contracts for that project were awarded in January 2026 to manufacturers including PMI Electro Mobility, EKA Mobility, and Olectra Greentech.
Meanwhile, the government has also issued another tender for around 3,000 additional buses under the same programme to expand coverage to more cities.
As of March, more than 6,200 electric buses had already been tendered under the PM e-Bus Sewa scheme, reflecting growing momentum in India's transition towards cleaner and more sustainable public transport systems.
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