Surat Municipal Corporation has fully electrified its BRTS network, deploying 450+ electric buses across a 108 km corridor to power a greener public transit system.
These buses are part of a broader plan to convert Surat’s entire fleet of 1,100 buses to electric by 2027, as confirmed by Municipal Commissioner Shalini Agarwal.
Surat’s strides are backed by the PM e‑Drive Scheme, under which the city has received central support—including a planned allotment of up to 600 e‑buses in this phase .
To power this transition sustainably, Surat inaugurated India’s first solar-powered smart bus depot at Althan: a facility equipped with a 100 kW rooftop solar plant and 224 kWh battery storage, offering free Wi‑Fi and charging to commuters while saving ₹ 6.65 lakh/year in energy costs .
What It Means for Surat & Beyond
1. Environmental Impact
Electric buses produce zero tailpipe emissions, offering a cleaner alternative to diesel. Over time, such shifts significantly reduce urban air pollution and carbon footprints .
2. Renewable Energy Integration
The solar smart depot demonstrates effective integration of clean energy and second-life batteries into transport operations, reducing grid dependency and showcasing energy autonomy in urban mobility .
3. Policy and Institutional Support
Surat’s electric transit expansion aligns with national initiatives like the PM e‑Drive Scheme. Meanwhile, Gujarat has established a unified transport authority (UMTA) to oversee multi-modal integration and policy coherence for Ahmedabad and Surat .
4. Scaling Urban Mobility
With over 450 e‑buses operational, Surat sets a benchmark in smaller-city electrification. The city plans to procure more buses—up to 450 more by end of FY 24–25 alone—to meet its target of full fleet electrification by 2027 .
Metric Detail
Operational e‑buses 450+ on BRTS
Total bus fleet target 1,100 electric buses by 2027
Depots powered by solar Althan depot with 100 kW solar setup
Central scheme support PM e‑Drive: ~600 buses to Surat
Why It Matters
Surat is among a handful of Indian cities demonstrating how mid-sized urban centers can lead on climate action by combining electric mobility, renewable energy, and policy support effectively.
This electric bus initiative not only enhances daily commuting but also positions Surat as a national model for sustainable urban transport planning.