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The Centre has revised the qualification criteria for its largest electric bus tender to attract more participants, allowing not only manufacturers but also operators, infrastructure developers, and municipal bodies to compete, according to a senior government official.
In June, the Centre floated a tender for 10,900 e-buses for five cities, which include Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, Surat, and Ahmedabad. This is part of the umbrella PM E drive scheme worth ₹10,900 crore to promote adoption of electric vehicles that also includes electric two wheelers, three wheelers, ambulance, trucks and charging infrastructure.
The deadline for submission of bids has already been extended twice, with the latest deadline set to expire on November 6.
The Centre expects Adani Group, the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund in which the government owns 49% stake, and a Canadian pension fund to show interest. In pre bid meetings, at least 6-7 original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) also have participated.
On why the Tata Group had not come forward in previous rounds, the official said it was because of “too high a load on their balance sheet” which is why some of the amendments have now been made.
Bus operators, infrastructure developers and municipal bodies can apply only if they tie up with OEMs. The OEMs will also benefit from access to finance through such consortia, the official said.
The tender, issued by Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL), includes the procurement, supply, operation, and maintenance of the fleet, as well as the development of associated civil and electrical infrastructure. It is based on the Gross Cost Contracting (GCC) model under which the city transport agency pays operators a fixed fee per kilometre for the operation and maintenance of the e-buses. The specific rates will be determined through the bidding process.
Published – November 05, 2025 04:12 am IST
