Powering Mumbai’s electric bus fleet with solar energy

The City of Mumbai, through a project led by BrihanMumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) and in collaboration with the C40 Cities Finance Facility, will install solar PV panels on the rooftops of 27 bus depots and surrounding areas to decarbonise the grid. The renewable electricity produced will power Mumbai’s fast-growing electric bus fleet.  

BEST aims to electrify 100% of its fleet by 2026, in line with a net-zero aim for 2050 and Mumbai’s goal to achieve 44% emission reduction by 2040. This project will support and complement Mumbai’s procurement of e-buses, ensuring that once the new fleets arrive, green charging infrastructure is in place in all the city’s depots.  

On-road transport accounts for 16% of Mumbai’s emissions, meaning that this project will contribute to decreasing the city’s carbon emissions and improving air quality. By creating green infrastructure for the e-buses, e-buses can be procured quicker in Mumbai, leading to improved air quality for local residents. By reducing small particular matter (PM2.5) pollution from diesel vehicles, which causes asthma, cancer, and lung and heart conditions, expanding the use of e-buses will improve the health of residents. 

This project aims to reduce Mumbai’s severe urban heat. By including solar rooftops over the concrete parking areas in the depots, the project will lower the temperature at the facility and inside the parked buses, improving working conditions for employees. Moreover, as Mumbai has been exposed to increasingly heavy rainfall and tropical cyclones, the depots will be fully climate proofed. 

Inclusivity and equity will be at the centre of this project. BEST has put a cap on its existing fares of ₹25 (US$ 0.31) regardless of route distance, and a minimum fare of ₹5 (US$ 0.06) for 5km. These fares make the service more accessible to users from low-income households. There are also special seats in buses reserved for women, senior citizens, and disabled people. Furthermore, as the prices of renewable energy decrease, charging e-buses with renewable energy may result in operational savings, meaning BEST can reinvest to provide sustainable and affordable transport to all segments of society. 

As Mumbai is leading in e-bus deployment in India, this project has the potential to demonstrate a successful example of solar rooftop installations at bus depots. This project can make a strong case for solar panels on other types of buildings too – according to a report published by the Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai has the potential to generate close to 1720 MW of solar energy, including 1300 MW from solar rooftops on residential buildings. By using renewable energy to power Mumbai’s e-bus fleet, this project will lead the way in greening India’s energy system. 

Photo credits: Peter Adams @ Getty Images