Fostering innovative solutions for improved e-bus systems in India

23 Jun, 2022

WRI India and TUMI e-Bus Mission select two scalable solutions to improve pathways of public bus service electrification.

New Delhi, June 23, 2022: World Resources Institute India (WRI India), in collaboration with Transformative Urban Mobility Initiative (TUMI) E-Bus Mission today announced the two winners of the Better e-Bus Challenge 2022 – Nunam Technologies and Microgrid Labs.

The Better e-Bus Challenge is the world’s first accelerator program for electric buses and serves as a platform for entrepreneurs, component manufacturers, technology and service providers and transit agencies to develop and co-create solutions to accelerate e-bus deployment. The winners, secure implementation support of up to $50,000 and will also receive expert guidance, to pilot their solutions, in conjunction with government partners.

Nunam Technologies will partner with Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) Undertaking in Mumbai. The company will pilot the implementation of a battery Prognostics and Health Management (PHM) system for e-buses. The system monitors battery health and performance in real-time for operational optimization and safety of e-buses, passengers, and operators. Microgrid Labs will work with Bengaluru Municipal Transport Corporation (BMTC) in Bengaluru. Their solution will support the planning and analysis, automation and optimization of charging process and vehicle dispatch.

Lokesh Chandra, IAS, General Manager, BEST Undertaking, said, “Deployment of any new technology faces teething issues. The Better e-Bus platform will benefit state transport undertakings (STUs) who are looking to procure and deploy e-buses in their respective cities. The experience sharing, offered through this platform, will also be useful for transit agencies.”

Mahua Acharya, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL), commented, “I am very hopeful that this Challenge will serve as an incubation program for e-buses. It will help with capacity building within STUs and will facilitate contracts for long-term mobility as a service. Since the Challenge is specific and targeted, the technology solutions being offered do not have to compete with other solutions and thus can be tailored for e-buses easily.”

The two winners of the Better e-Bus Challenge 2022 were selected from six shortlisted entries and underwent an extensive bootcamp, with officials from partner STUs and industry mentors, to refine their technology-based solutions to meet city-specific needs. The other shortlisted entries of the Challenge were GreenCell Mobility, IIT Kharagpur, Optibus and TwarIT Mobility Solutions.

Rohan Shailesh Modi, Advisor, TUMIVolt, said, “Under the TUMI E-Bus Mission, we are supporting five deep-dive Indian cities – Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai and Ahmedabad. These cities currently face many challenges related to route rationalization, technology selection, ensuring passenger safety, and forecasting and optimizing energy requirements. We are trying to bridge this gap, through the Better e-Bus Challenge 2022, by facilitating roundtable discussions between city transit agencies and the private sector.”

Dr. OP Agarwal, Chief Executive Officer, WRI India, added, “India is becoming a hub for innovations. However, the biggest challenge that innovators face is that traditional procurement systems continue to be product-based. This needs to change to an outcome-based approach. The Challenge process at WRI India is based on an outcome-based approach – allowing innovators to showcase a variety of solutions, to different stakeholders, that can be customized to meet city-specific needs.”

Know more about the Better e-Bus Challenge here: https://bit.ly/371NBru

About TUMI
Transformative Urban Mobility Initiative (TUMI) is the leading global implementation initiative on sustainable mobility formed through the union of 11 prestigious partners. TUMI supports innovative transport projects globally and enables policymakers to transform urban mobility. The TUMI E-Bus Mission is working with six global partners in 20 deep-dive cities to dramatically advance electric bus adoption across leading cities in the Global South.

Learn more about TUMI at: https://www.transformative-mobility.org/

About WRI India Ross Center
WRI India Ross Center is dedicated to supporting Indian cities in their journey to be low carbon, resilient and inclusive. WRI India Ross Center is a research organization that works with governments, businesses, multilateral institutions, and civil society groups to develop practical solutions that improve people’s lives and protect nature.

Learn more about our work at: https://www.wricitiesindia.org/

Media Contacts
Aparna Vijaykumar, WRI India: aparna.vijaykumar@wri.org (7838943954)
Ankita Saxena, WRI India: ankita.saxena@wri.org (9910539405)