Blurb: A pioneering eco-friendly electric bus will roll out on Mangaluru roads, marking a milestone for the city’s private operators and promising cleaner
public travel.
Mangaluru:
The city is set to witness a significant step forward in sustainable urban mobility as the coastal city’s private bus fleet introduces its very first electric vehicle. The bus is scheduled for inauguration on February 26 and will begin passenger service on the streets within just a few days of the event.
Ganesh Prasad Travels, a well-known local operator, has taken this environmentally conscious initiative. The new electric bus will operate on the popular Route Number 27, running between Mangaladevi and State Bank in a loop.
Dilraj Alva, the owner of Ganesh Prasad Travels, is spearheading this shift toward cleaner technology in Mangaluru’s transport landscape. The vehicle, a 9-metre-long model with 32 comfortable seats, was sourced from Pune-based Neuton Auto. Notably, this marks the very first e-bus produced by Neuton Auto, and Mangaluru’s roads will become its inaugural operational territory.
Dilraj Alva confirmed that once all registration formalities are completed, the bus will immediately be available for public commuting. On a full charge, the bus can cover approximately 200 kilometres. It supports fast charging to reach 100% battery capacity in about two hours, while standard slow charging requires around five hours.
With only one electric bus in the fleet at present, the owners have decided against building a dedicated charging station. Instead, they will rely on existing public charging points available at selected petrol bunks across Mangaluru city.
From an environmental perspective, this transition holds substantial value. Ganesh Prasad Travels currently runs a total of five buses, each completing 19 trips per day. The new electric bus will replace one of the older diesel-powered vehicles in regular service. Dilraj Alva emphasized that the primary motivation extends beyond profit calculations—he aims to reduce carbon emissions and make a meaningful contribution toward protecting the environment.
Looking ahead, the operator plans to gradually convert the entire fleet to electric vehicles. To support this vision, Alva has established a new company called Charge Mobility Private Limited in partnership with like-minded individuals. Through this venture, they aspire to transform Mangaluru’s public transport system into a fully green and sustainable network in the coming years.
