Goldstone K7 Electric bus used by Himachal Road Transport CorporationAfter running trials for two years, the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) has today (22 September) launched electric buses on regular schedules, making it the first hill state in the country to do so. Two mid-size buses seating 27 and 32 passengers respectively will be operated on the Kullu-Manali and Mandi routes, which traverses through the Rohtang Pass. Charging points have been installed at Manali and Marhi.
Fifty more buses are expected to join the fleet while the government plans to operate eight-seater electric vehicles in Manali town as well.
We have started our drive to replace diesel buses with electric buses. HRTC has 3,200 buses and 50 electric buses would be delivered to us very shortly. Ten buses will ply on Manali-Rohtang route and other buses will run on various routes of the state.Himachal Pradesh Transport Minister G S Bali
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) had earlier ordered the state government to stop plying of all petrol and diesel vehicles on the Manali-Rohtang route and run only CNG and electric vehicles.
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