Shimla: Himachal Pradesh is rapidly expanding the charging backbone for its electric bus fleet, with the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) setting up charging infrastructure at 80 locations at a cost of Rs 122 crore. Of these, stations are already operational at 34 locations, work at another 21 is expected to be completed within a month, while facilities at the remaining 25 locations are under development.

Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, who reviewed the HRTC’s progress with senior officials, said the charging network was being developed at HRTC bus stands and workshops to ensure reliable and smooth operation of electric buses on different routes.

The project will create 99 charging points, equipped with 180-kilowatt fast CCS-2 chargers, across the state. The network is deliberately being spread beyond major cities to HRTC facilities in different areas, with additional stations to be added wherever future requirements emerge.

Agnihotri said the charging expansion, coupled with the induction of electric buses, was aimed at building a modern, economical and environment-friendly public transport system. HRTC is developing the supporting infrastructure in phases to improve passenger services.

HRTC currently has 297 electric buses, operating on both short- and long-distance routes. Their use is already reducing the corporation’s diesel expenditure by around Rs 15-16 per kilometre, helping lower operating costs.

The buses are also demonstrating longer-range capabilities. While an electric bus generally covers about 180 km on a single charge, one is successfully operating the roughly 270-km Haroli-Chandigarh route after a single charge. On the approximately 250-km Shimla-Chandigarh-Shimla route, the bus completes the journey with nearly 25 percent battery charge still remaining.