Pilgrims visiting Sabarimala will now be able to travel in zero emission and noiseless electric buses of Olectra–BYD deployed by Kerala Road Transport Corporation Limited.
The company’s eBuzz K7 model will now start its commercial operations in Kerala. The electric bus has been successfully plying at the high altitude Kullu-Manali-Rohtang Pass route in Himachal Pradesh for over one year, proving its durability to run in all kind of terrains.
Manufactured in India by Olectra Greentech, formerly Goldstone Infratech, with the world’s largest electric vehicle company BYD Auto Industry Co. Ltd, the 9-meter air-conditioned low floor buses seats 32+1 (driver) and provides a comfortable ride.
The lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery installed in the bus, enables it to travel up to 250 kms on a single charge based on traffic conditions. It can get fully recharged in 2-3 hours.
The eBuzz K7 has a regenerative braking system which helps the bus to recover a part of the kinetic energy lost in braking. It has electronically controlled air suspension to ensure comfortable travel.
eBuzz K 7 is also equipped to offer protection from short circuit, over temperature function and lightening to ensure a safe ride to the passengers.
Green technology
N Naga Satyam, Executive Director, Olectra Greentech Limited, said, “Olectra-BYD will operate electric buses in one more State in the country. Our buses would now contribute in preserving the rich ecology of Kerala—God’s own Country. Like in other states, our 10 buses will repeat the success in Kerala State as well.”
eBuzz K 7 has already proved its reliability as it has been plying at a high altitude and steep gradient of 13,000 feet in Himachal Pradesh.
It has recently launched its first luxury electric bus–eBuzz K6 LuXe (7Meter) in Bus World, Bengaluru. It has also deployed first commercially running electric bus for the Himachal Roadways Transport Corporation (HRTC) for the public. It is also running its electric bus eBuzz K7 in Mumbai under Brihan Mumbai Electricity Supply and Transport Undertaking (BEST).
Trial runs
Apart from this, the 12-meter variant, eBuzz K9 has completed trials in Bangalore, Delhi, Chandigarh, Goa, Rajkot, among other cities. The eBuzz K6 was the first ‘Make in India’ electric bus which was exported to Nepal in June 2018.
Olectra-BYD buses have completed more than 4,00,000 kms on Indian roads and have reduced CO2 emissions up to 419 tonnes till now which would have required 2,095 trees instead.