Tata Electric Buses Drive India’s Urban EV Transition

India’s public transport sector is gradually embracing electric mobility, with Tata Motors emerging as a key player in the country’s e-bus revolution. Through a diverse lineup of electric buses, Tata aims to modernize urban fleets, reduce emissions, and support government initiatives for sustainable transport.

Tata Electric Bus Models and Range
Tata Motors’ electric buses, developed for urban and intra-city transport, include the Tata Starbus EV, Ultra EV (Ultra 9/9 and Ultra 9/12 Electric), and the long-distance Magna EV intercity coach.

• Starbus EV: A 12-metre, low-floor bus designed for intensive urban commuting, widely deployed in major city transport fleets.
• Ultra EV 9/9 & 9/12: Compact models suited for urban, suburban, and peri-urban routes. With a range of up to 150 km per charge, they are optimized for frequent stops and depot-to-depot operations. Rooftop batteries and liquid cooling enhance reliability under challenging conditions.
• Magna EV / Intercity Coach: Designed for longer intra- and inter-city routes, catering to growing demand for non-urban electric transport.

Charging times typically range between 4–6 hours, depending on depot infrastructure. The buses feature low-floor boarding, adequate passenger capacity (up to 34 in some Ultra EV variants), and EV-optimized drivetrains for smoother, quieter rides.

Government Push and Orders
Tata’s e-bus rollout aligns with central and state initiatives, particularly the PM E-DRIVE Scheme, launched in 2024. Under the scheme, support was sanctioned for 14,028 e-buses nationwide, along with the necessary charging infrastructure. In 2025, tenders for 10,900 electric buses attracted multiple bidders, including Tata Motors.

Cities such as Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and Surat are major beneficiaries of the scheme. Tata delivered 148 additional Starbus EVs to BMTC, Bengaluru, in 2025 and supplied the first batch of Ultra EV air-conditioned buses to Srinagar Smart City Limited in 2024. Market data indicates Tata Motors held roughly 40% market share of heavy-passenger electric buses in India in 2024.

Challenges and Considerations
The transition to e-buses is not without hurdles. Legal challenges in tender processes and the need for robust charging infrastructure, depot readiness, and consistent power supply are key concerns. Experts emphasize digital scheduling, route planning, and infrastructure readiness as prerequisites for scalable deployment.

Impact on Indian Cities
For metropolitan regions like Delhi–NCR and Gurugram, electric buses offer cleaner, quieter public transport and reduce dependency on fossil fuels. Compact Ultra EVs efficiently serve suburban and peri-urban routes, while Starbus EVs handle high-capacity city commuting. Combined with PM E-DRIVE incentives and supportive policies, these buses are set to accelerate India’s shift to sustainable public transport.

Conclusion
Tata Motors’ electric bus lineup, reinforced by government schemes and urban demand, is helping transform India’s public transport sector. With expanding deployment and ongoing technology improvements, the company is positioning itself at the forefront of India’s urban EV mobility revolution.