Mumbai gets 25 hybrid buses in bid to cut vehicular emissions

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Tata Motors on Friday handed over 25 hybrid electric buses to the city's planning authority MMRDA.

Developed indigenously, these Tata-Starbus hybrid electric buses come with full low-floor configuration, offer global design standards, can run on dual power (diesel and electric) and use lithium ion batteries, the firm said.

The buses comply with all UBS-II (urban bus specifications), AIS 052 (automotive industry standards) and CMVR (central motor vehicle rules), it added.

Buses were formally handed over to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) by Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis in the presence of Union heavy industries minister Anant Geete.

Girish Wagh, president, commercial vehicles business at Tata Motors said these buses, powered by BS-IV engines, are the first series of the hybrid electric architecture buses and are a testimony to the company's technological prowess.

He said the company is committed to developing low-emission buses that make substantial contribution towards sustainable urban transport. "We will continue our work on electrification and alternate fuel technologies and engage with government and regulatory authorities to promote such mobility solutions," Wagh added.