Delhi Shifts To Smaller Electric Buses For Narrow, High-Traffic Routes

The Delhi government is revising its electric bus procurement strategy by prioritising 9-metre buses over the traditional 12-metre fleet, citing the Capital’s congested and narrow roads. 

A senior Transport Department official said the smaller buses, first introduced under the Delhi Electric Vehicle Interconnector (DEVI) scheme during the Rekha Gupta administration, have proven more suitable for dense neighbourhoods, sharp turns, and old city areas where road space is limited.

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According to officials, 12-metre buses comfortably operate only on wider stretches such as the Outer Ring Road, while traffic congestion across Delhi, especially in older, compact localities, makes manoeuvring larger buses difficult. In contrast, 9-metre buses offer better flexibility and are considered a more sustainable choice as the city modernises its fleet and accelerates its shift toward electric mobility.

Electric buses are procured through Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL), a Government of India agency responsible for issuing tenders. The Delhi government has already placed a request for 2,800 electric buses, 1,400 of the 9-metre category and 1,400 of the 12-metre category. For an upcoming procurement of 1,200 buses, the government plans to seek 800 smaller buses and 400 larger ones.

Cost is another factor influencing the shift: a 12-metre bus costs about Rs 1.5 crore, whereas a 9-metre bus is priced around Rs 1 crore.

Officials also pointed to passenger load patterns as a reason behind the evolving strategy. Buses are typically crowded only during morning and evening peak hours, while larger buses often run with empty seats during non-peak times. The government believes smaller buses will reduce waiting times, improve frequency, and strengthen last-mile connectivity, without compromising service.

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Despite the shift, 12-metre buses will remain operational on high-demand corridors and newly launched interstate routes.

Delhi aims to induct 5,780 electric buses as part of its ongoing transition, including 2,840 DTC buses and 2,940 cluster buses. Alongside this, 2,442 CNG buses (692 DTC buses included) are currently in service but will be phased out by December this year. Additionally, 1,750 CNG cluster buses are scheduled to be retired by 2030-31.