Staff Writer
New Delhi: In a significant step towards sustainable urban mobility, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Union Minister for Education and Skill Development Dharmendra Pradhan jointly flagged off a new fleet of JBM electric buses under the Delhi Electric Vehicle Integration (DEVi) initiative. The event marked a major milestone in the national capital’s transition to clean and green public transportation.
Out of the 400 newly launched DEVi electric buses, 120 have been manufactured by JBM Group, one of India’s leading electric bus makers. These JBM electric buses will be operated from the Ghazipur Depot and will enhance last-mile connectivity across several neighbourhoods of the city. Designed with advanced features and powered by an intelligent Transport Management System (ITMS), the buses promise to deliver a smart, reliable, and sustainable commuting experience for Delhi’s residents.
This flag-off is part of the broader DEVi initiative, which aims to deepen the footprint of electric vehicles in public transport and bring about a transformative change in the way the city moves. With over 2,000 electric buses already in service across the capital, the addition of 400 more represents a strong step forward in Delhi’s electric mobility journey. The latest deployment not only improves urban connectivity but also contributes meaningfully to the city’s air quality and carbon reduction targets.
With the addition of 120 more electric buses to the city’s fleet, JBM Auto now has over 650 of its electric buses operating in Delhi. The event also coincides with a significant milestone for the company, as JBM Auto celebrates ten years of service in the public mobility sector. Over the past decade, the company has grown into a key player in India’s green transport revolution. It now maintains a robust order book of over 10,000 electric buses in various stages of execution and deployment.
Looking ahead, JBM Auto has set an ambitious target of serving more than 20 billion passengers and clocking 3 billion electric kilometres over the next 3–4 years. The company envisions transforming mobility experiences across Indian cities by offering clean, intelligent, and globally benchmarked transport solutions.
Speaking at the launch event, Mr. Nishant Arya, Vice Chairman of JBM Auto, emphasized the importance of public-private collaboration in driving sustainable urban mobility. “Today’s launch is a reflection of how collaborative innovation between government and industry can redefine urban mobility. At JBM, we are not just manufacturing electric buses—we are building a holistic ecosystem that integrates clean energy, intelligent transport systems, and digital infrastructure,” he said.
He added that the new DEVi electric buses are not just about low-emission transport—they represent a shift toward smarter and more connected commuting. “These DEVi electric buses are a step forward in making public transport more accessible, connected, and sustainable. As Delhi accelerates its transition to green mobility, we remain committed to delivering solutions that are not only Made in India but are truly future-ready and globally benchmarked,” Arya noted.
The newly launched JBM ECOLIFE electric bus, a Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV), is engineered to significantly lower environmental impact. Over a ten-year lifecycle, each ECOLIFE bus is expected to reduce approximately 1,000 tons of CO₂ emissions and save up to 420,000 litres of diesel fuel, making a substantial contribution to climate change mitigation and urban air quality improvement.
To meet the rising demand for electric mobility solutions, JBM has established the world’s largest dedicated integrated electric bus manufacturing facility outside of China. Located in the Delhi-NCR region, this state-of-the-art plant has an annual production capacity of 20,000 electric buses, further positioning the company as a key enabler in India’s green transition.
These electric buses are equipped with a suite of advanced safety and passenger-centric technologies, including a Real-Time Passenger Information System for live tracking, onboard CCTV surveillance, stop request buttons for commuter convenience, Fire Detection & Alarm Systems, and comprehensive Vehicle Health Monitoring Systems. For drivers, the buses offer ergonomically designed dashboards that minimize distractions and enhance operational control, making the ECOLIFE one of the most driver-friendly vehicles in its category.
With today’s launch, Delhi once again demonstrates its leadership in clean urban transportation, setting a benchmark for other Indian cities to follow. The DEVi initiative not only reflects the city’s commitment to climate resilience but also aligns closely with national goals around sustainability, smart city development, and inclusive mobility solutions.