In a major leap toward sustainable urban living, India achieved a significant milestone in 2025 as 100 cities officially launched Smart EV Public Transport Systems, transforming the way millions of citizens commute daily. Powered by a combination of electric buses, AI-based route optimization, smart ticketing, and green depots, this shift marks the beginning of a clean, efficient, and tech-integrated future for Indian mobility.

The initiative, led by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) under the National Electric Mobility Mission 2.0, has not only reduced carbon emissions but also significantly improved commute efficiency and public convenience. As cities like Indore, Kochi, Pune, Chandigarh, and Nagpur take the lead, India is emerging as a global model for climate-smart public transport.

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EVs on the Roads: Cleaner, Quieter, Smarter

More than 15,000 electric buses are now operational across the 100 cities, serving over 25 million commuters daily. These e-buses are equipped with:

• Zero-emission battery or hydrogen fuel cells

• Real-time GPS tracking

• Onboard air quality monitors

• Smart infotainment and surveillance systems

The buses connect seamlessly with metro lines, suburban rail, bike-sharing docks, and pedestrian walkways, forming an integrated multi-modal urban transport grid.

Cities have established EV-only corridors, while bus lanes now feature AI-based adaptive signaling, which prioritizes high-occupancy electric vehicles over private traffic, reducing travel time by up to 30%.

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Digital Experience for Commuters

The public now benefits from a smart mobility ecosystem powered by a unified app called “OneCity Move”, which allows:

• Cashless, contactless ticketing

• Trip planning with real-time updates

• Carbon savings tracking

• Multi-lingual support

The app integrates with India’s DigiLocker, allowing passengers to use digital ID for discounted fares, and even earns carbon credits redeemable for retail discounts or public services.

Inclusion features such as voice assistance, low-floor buses, and audio-visual route cues have improved access for elderly and disabled passengers.

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Infrastructure and Jobs Boom

This mobility revolution has led to a surge in green infrastructure. Over 2,500 electric depots, fast-charging stations, and solar-powered bus shelters have been built nationwide. The program has generated over 3 lakh green jobs in driving, maintenance, app development, fleet management, and electric component manufacturing.

Domestic EV manufacturers like Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland, Olectra Greentech, and startups like Euler Motors are now global players in e-mobility exports. India’s e-bus costs are 20–25% lower than European models due to localization and government incentives.

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Policy, Funding, and Global Support

The transformation has been backed by a combination of:

• FAME-III subsidies

• Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models

• Soft loans from multilateral banks like ADB and World Bank

• Climate grants via India’s Green Mobility Fund

India’s urban EV model has attracted attention from Latin American and African cities, with several joint pilot projects under India’s Urban Diplomacy Programme.

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Conclusion

As the urban population grows and climate concerns deepen, India’s 2025 Smart EV Public Transport initiative shows how technology, policy, and people can come together to reinvent mobility. With cleaner air, faster commutes, and inclusive design, India is setting the wheels in motion for a greener and smarter urban future.