Chartered Speed, EKA Mobility Secure LOCQ for 1,750 Electric Buses in Bengaluru

Chartered Speed Limited, a major operator in India’s passenger bus mobility sector, in partnership with EKA Mobility, has secured a Letter of Confirmation of Quantity (LOCQ) for the deployment of 1,750 electric buses in Bengaluru under the Government of India’s PM E-Drive Scheme.

The allocation marks one of the largest single electric bus deployments sanctioned for the city and represents a significant step in advancing sustainable urban public transport.

The sanctioned fleet accounts for nearly 39 percent of Bengaluru’s total planned induction of 4,500 electric buses under the PM E-Drive initiative. The project is expected to play a key role in supporting the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation’s (BMTC) ongoing transition towards clean and energy-efficient public mobility, aligned with Karnataka’s electric vehicle policy and India’s national decarbonization goals.

Bengaluru has emerged as a frontrunner in electric public transport adoption, with the steady expansion of its electric bus network over the past few years.

The addition of 1,750 buses under this allocation is expected to significantly enhance service capacity, reduce tailpipe emissions, and improve the reliability of mass transit across high-density urban corridors.

Chartered Speed Limited will be responsible for operations, fleet management, and service delivery, while EKA Mobility will provide electric bus manufacturing and advanced vehicle technology solutions.

The collaboration combines Chartered Speed’s experience in large-scale public transport operations with EKA Mobility’s focus on electric commercial vehicle innovation.

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Safety and operational reliability remain central to the deployment strategy. Chartered Speed follows structured safety protocols for its electric vehicle operations, including preventive maintenance schedules, continuous battery health monitoring, and specialized training programmes for drivers and technical staff.

These measures are aimed at ensuring dependable, commuter-centric services while maintaining high uptime across the fleet.

Commenting on the development, Sanyam Gandhi, Whole-Time Director, Chartered Speed Limited, said Bengaluru continues to be a critical mobility hub where electric buses can deliver both environmental and operational benefits.

Further, he noted that the PM E-Drive allocation strengthens the company’s long-term commitment to sustainable mass mobility and added that Chartered Speed aims to transition approximately 25 per cent of its fleet to electric by FY2027, supported by infrastructure investments and operational readiness.

Rohit Srivastava, Business Head and Chief Growth Officer at EKA Mobility, said the PM E-Drive initiative is a key enabler of India’s electric mobility roadmap. He highlighted that Bengaluru’s large-scale adoption of electric buses sets a benchmark for other Indian cities and added that the partnership aims to deliver cleaner, quieter, and more efficient urban transport solutions.

Earlier in August 2025, Chartered Speed Limited partnered with EKA Mobility to roll out 1,135 electric buses across Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Meghalaya and Chhattisgarh, further reinforcing its growing role in India’s public transport electrification landscape.