BEST to induct 48 new electric buses on Nov 3 in Mumbai

Mumbai: BEST will roll out 48 new Next-Gen Blade Battery electric AC buses from Magathane depot on Tuesday morning. These e-buses will provide some relief to the burdened low fleet as they will be deployed on the busy routes across the island city and suburbs. The total fleet will touch 2,900 after the induction of new buses.

The new buses are powered by advanced Blade Battery technology designed for lower risk, longer operating range, and fast charging capabilities. While existing electric buses cover around 250 km on a single charge, the new Blade Battery fleet boasts a range of 325 km to 500 km. Even on congested city roads, they guarantee a minimum range of 325 km, allowing up to two days of continuous operation without returning to the depot for recharging.

Designed for enhanced safety, longer range, and lower operating costs, these compact and lightweight batteries offer at least 30% more energy storage than those currently used in electric AC buses, while significantly improving overall vehicle stability and space efficiency. The lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries are integrated directly into the bus chassis.