NMC inching closer to launching 25 flash charging buses for connecting towns

 

 

Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) is inching towards launch of flash charging based Articulated Electric Bus system project as it has invited bids to supply and operate 25 buses. The civic body plans to deploy these 18 meter AC buses to connect nearby towns and also to be deployed on 42 kms of internal Ring Road. This is going to be country’s first such urban transport system and same is being spearheaded by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, headed by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. A fully funded Central Government project, NMC’s shortlisting of Ring Road is to augment present bus service, as current e-buses are falling short of requirement. These long bodied buses would provide ease of movement for people in nearby Municipal Councils, negotiating the distance of 50 to 60 kms in vicinity of city within an hour.

 

During peak time, the city buses on these routes run packed and commuters thus prefer private vehicles as a respite from traffic snarls during mid-morning and in the evening hours in the city. With introduction of articulated electric buses, NMC hopes that citizens would latch on it as same would offer faster movement, plus ample carrying capacity that would address demand-supply gap on these routes, feel civic body officials. Each of the buses is going to be equipped with 130 seats and would be 18 meters long, where 45 persons would be seated and 84 can travel standing. The salient point of these buses is that their batteries would get charged in a flash, using the pantograph during their stoppages at the bus stops on the Ring Road and other roads.

 

The bus stops would run on solar power and will also have toilet and snacks and beverage stalls for comfort of commuters. As per the plan finalised by Transport Department, the buses would operate for about 18 hours, starting from 6 am onwards and continue the operations till midnight. The articulated e-buses would run at interval of 10 to 30 minutes and same can be extended on reduced depending upon the passenger footfalls. The maximum speed NMC desires is 60 km/hr and with faster acceleration these buses could achieve 0-30 km/ph within a span of 10.5 seconds. The flash chargers can deliver maximum power of 600 kW and hence during stoppages of few minutes would be enough for internal batteries in these buses to top-up to ensure uninterrupted run, said officials of Transport Department.

 

NMC has sought minimum run of 25 kms on single charge and estimated available charging time for buses from 30 seconds to maximum 300 seconds enroute. Since NMC does not have any expertise in the system, the successful bidder will provide expert driver, and also operate and maintain these buses at designated depots that may be set-up exclusive for them. The entire project will take long to take-off as post finalisation of successful partner, NMC said a 10-month period will be available for finalisation of bus prototype. Thereafter, the current bus stops would be needed to be fitted with charging equipment and then only the buses can start operations. Further, NMC needs to start finding suitable location for stationing these e-buses where they can be charged overnight and also can be maintained.