The Electric Bus Transition Plan for Surat is a knowledge product developed under the Promotion of Transformation to Sustainable and Climate-friendly E-mobility initiative of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The report outlines Surat’s strategic roadmap to achieve full electrification of its public bus transport system by 2035.
As one of India’s early adopters of electric buses, Surat currently operates over 450 e-buses integrated within its BRTS and city bus network. However, the scale-up of electric mobility requires infrastructure planning, charging strategies, and fleet procurement. The report provides short-term and long-term action plans focused on optimising e-bus operations, reducing non-revenue kilometres, and improving energy efficiency.
Utilising operational data, depot-level assessments, and financial models, the report presents actionable strategies to address challenges such as charging downtime, battery sizing, and contract frameworks. Stakeholder consultations further reinforced the need for tailored solutions, including opportunity charging and improved bus route allocation.
The study led to significant outcomes, including the successful implementation of multiple Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) operating e-buses from a single depot at Althan, and the proposal of on-route opportunity charging to enhance the operational efficiency of the e-bus system.
Surat is all set to procure 600 more e-buses under the current phase of PM E-DRIVE scheme, by Ministry of Heavy Indutries.
With the adoption of this transition roadmap, Surat is on its path to achieve its goal towards climate-friendly public transport. Other Indian cities are encouraged to develop similar e-bus transition strategies to decarbonise public transport and advance sustainable mobility.
