Taking a leap in the green public transportation system, the Delhi government on Wednesday launched the first electric bus in the national capital on a pilot basis for six months. Launching the bus, transport minister Gopal Rai said that it was for the first time in the country that an electric vehicle has been put on road for public transport. The bus will operate between Delhi Secretariat and Central Secretariat and the minimum fare to commute on it will be Rs 10.

Elaborating on the safety features, Delhi Dialogue Commission chairman Asish Khetan said that the bus is fitted with a fire safe battery, which will prevent it from exploding when exposed to direct flames. “Its energy consumption amounts to 1.3 KWh/KM, estimated at Rs 12.06 per km. it has fewer components replacement then Diesel/CNG bus. It has less maintenance cost compared to CNG or a diesel bus,” a Delhi government statement said.

This electric bus is air-conditioned, has CCTVs and public address system for women safety, fitted with fire fighting equipments, complete medical kit, special seating for differently-able people, and first class comfortable seating facilities for all passsengers, and has a battery life of more than 4000 recharging cycles, which is fire proof.

It can cover a distance of more than 250 kms with a fully charged battery that takes about five hours to fully charge.

Further, the battery used is recyclable.

Officials said that such buses are already running successfully in Los Angeles and in Shenzhen in China with trials going on in cities like London and Jakarta.