Major cities being congested, and a rapid urban mass transportation system is the need of the hour. The Tata Starbus Hybrid Electric Bus is being put into service in the Bandra Kurla Complex route in Bombay. 25 such units were handed over to MMRDA by Maharashtra Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis in the company of Anant Geete, Union Minister Heavy Industry and Public Sector Enterprises, and others.
To make the system feasible, and hasslefree, a charging policy has been finalised. Support will be provided to BEST to make the infrastructure conducive to introducing more emission ( 30 percent lower) friendly public transport solutions. Hybrid buses redice 40% pollution as compared t traditional alternatives.
With MMRDA being a an important concrete business hub, access to it needs to be improved. with focus on public transport. These buses will operate on routes originating at Borivali, Thane, Mulund, Kharghar and Sion stations to and from BKC to reduce some of the hassles daily commuters face. Passengers can use on board WiFi and charging facilities. The Union Government has approved the 25 strong Tata Starbus Hybrid Electric Bus fleet under National Electric Mobility Mission Plan 2020.
Tata Starbus Hybrid Electric Bus is compliant with UBS-II (Urban Bus Specifications), AIS 052 (Automotive Industry Standards) and CMVR (Central Motor Vehicle Rules).
Tata Motors becomes the first Indian manufacturer to commercially deploy Series Hybrid technology in India. Powered by a new gen BS IV Engine, the low floor bus configuration uses an advanced NVH (below 72dB) system. Optimum functionality are courtesy a neat package that runs on Lithium Ion batteries (Prismatic Cell) and enhanced telematics system for remote diagnostic packed into a stylized body design.
Developed in house, Tata Starbus Hybrid Electric Bus looks great and appeals to public transport users. The safe and robust system runs on dual power, i.e. diesel and electric to be cost efficient (28.24 percent fuel saving)and environmental friendly all at once.
Noteworthy developments: Electronic Braking System (EBS), Gearless and clutchless ops (dct motor drive), zero emission at bus stops as the engine stops at bus stops, regenerative braking, 300 km range with 50-60 km full EV mode per day. The vehicle is built on a modular platform upgradable to full electric or fuel cell. The fleet qualifies for FAME subsidy of Level 2 for buses (Rs 61 lakhs).
Girish Wagh, President, Commercial Vehicles Business, Tata Motors said, “With sustainability at the heart of our innovation programme, we at Tata Motors, have led technology changes in the Indian commercial vehicle industry over the last six decades. The Tata Starbus Hybrid Electric is India’s First Series Hybrid Electric Architecture Bus and is a testimony to our technology prowess and deep understanding of our customer requirements. We are 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 the government and regulatory authorities to promote these smart technologies and develop products further strengthening the future of Green Mobility in India.”
Dr. AK Jindal, Head Engineering (Electric and Defence) CVBU, Tata Motors said, “Tata Motors is the country’s largest bus manufacturer, with a complete range of transit vehicles that meets every need, arising from day-to-day travel. The company continues to be a leader in the segment not just by setting technological benchmarks but by also adapting innovations effectively to suit Indian travel conditions. With an entire range of coach designs, e.g. microbus, intercity and touring coaches, luxurious inter-city travel options, to safe transport choices for school going children, Tata Motors is best suited to cater to customers’ needs with an entire gamut of day-to-day mass passenger transport solutions.”
Starbus Hybrid Electric Bus provides State Transport Undertakings (STUs) a smart and modern public transport solution that’s clean and takes into consideration safety and commuter comfort.