In a significant boost to Bengaluru’s push for sustainable urban mobility, EKA Mobility and Chartered Speed Limited have received official confirmation to deploy 1,750 electric buses in the city under the Government of India’s PM E-Drive Scheme. The companies announced the development on Tuesday (January 28, 2026), marking a key milestone in the electrification of public transport in one of India’s busiest metropolitan areas.
The allocation, formalized through a Letter of Confirmation of Quantity (LOCQ), represents approximately 39% of Bengaluru’s planned induction of 4,500 electric buses under the scheme. This substantial share underscores the partnership’s pivotal role in advancing the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation’s (BMTC) goals for cleaner, more efficient mass transit, aligning with Karnataka’s broader clean mobility strategy and the central government’s decarbonization roadmap.
The PM E-Drive Scheme, with a total outlay of ₹10,900 crore, aims to deploy over 14,000 electric buses nationwide across major cities by March 2026. Bengaluru has been allocated the largest portion among participating urban centers (followed by allocations to cities like Delhi, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and Surat), reflecting its urgent need to combat congestion, pollution, and rising commuter demands. The initiative operates on a Gross Cost Contract (GCC) model, where private operators like Chartered Speed handle procurement, operation, and maintenance, supported by government subsidies.
This latest deployment combines Chartered Speed’s extensive operational expertise with EKA Mobility’s advanced electric vehicle manufacturing capabilities. Chartered Speed Limited, a leading passenger bus mobility services provider, operates a fleet of over 2,000 buses and serves more than 350,000 passengers daily across six states. The company emphasizes safety through rigorous protocols, including preventive maintenance, real-time battery health monitoring, and specialized driver training for electric vehicles—ensuring reliable, commuter-centric services.
EKA Mobility, a subsidiary of Pinnacle Industries and a specialist in electric buses and commercial vehicles, brings cutting-edge technology to the table. The collaboration aims to deliver accessible, dependable, and zero-emission urban transport solutions, contributing to quieter streets, reduced air pollution, and improved daily commutes for millions in Bengaluru.
Quotes from key executives highlight the strategic importance:
- Rohit Srivastava, Business Head & Chief Growth Officer, EKA Mobility: “The PM E-Drive initiative is a powerful enabler of India’s electric mobility vision, and Bengaluru’s large-scale adoption of electric buses sets a strong benchmark for urban transport transformation. At EKA Mobility, we are proud to partner with Chartered Speed and contribute to Bengaluru’s journey towards a more sustainable urban future. It is not just about scale, but about creating cleaner mobility solutions, quieter streets, and a better daily commute for millions.”
- Sanyam Gandhi, Whole-Time Director, Chartered Speed Limited: “Bengaluru is a key mobility hub in India, and electric buses are part of the efforts to build a cleaner and more efficient public transport system.”
This announcement builds on prior successes for both entities under related schemes, including earlier deployments of over 1,000 electric buses for Chartered Speed and EKA’s growing order book from public-sector contracts. With Bengaluru leading India’s electric public transport adoption—through steady BMTC expansions—the addition of 1,750 EKA-built buses will accelerate progress toward a greener fleet, enhanced service frequency, and reduced reliance on fossil fuels.
As deployment ramps up, the focus will remain on infrastructure support, including charging facilities and maintenance ecosystems, to ensure seamless integration. This move not only strengthens Bengaluru’s position as a frontrunner in sustainable mobility but also signals India’s accelerating transition to electric public transport at scale.
