Goldstone Infratech Ltd has announced that the Himachal Pradesh Transport Corporation has started running its zero emission electric bus. The 25+1 seater Goldstone eBuzz K7 was flagged off by G. S. Bali, Minister of Transport, Himachal Pradesh, at Kullu and will ply on the Kullu-Manali-Rohtang Pass route.
The bus has completed trials at a steep gradient and at an altitude of over 13,000 feet for the first time in the country.
Made in the country by Goldstone Infratech, the bus has been certified by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), after extensive testing at the parts and vehicle level.
Goldstone’s electric buses with front and rear air suspension, are a comfortable ride for commuters. These electric buses are being manufactured in tie-up with BYD Auto Industry Co. Ltd – the world’s largest electric vehicle company.
Each bus can run over 200 km on a single charge and can be recharged in less than four hours thanks to its fast charging technology. The buses use Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries, which ensure longer lifetime, better power density and are safe on account of their chemical and thermal stability.
Anand Swaroop, Chief Operating Officer – Goldstone Infratech Ltd said, “Goldstone Infratech is proud to become India’s first company to run its ARAI certified electric buses on Indian roads. We are committed to offer quality products to the country. We are sure that these electric buses will become a benchmark for every state transport undertaking. This will surely augment faster adoption of a much needed electric public transport system in the country and further support the cause of environment protection.”
Earlier in August this year, the 12-metre low-floor AC electric bus from Goldstone-BYD successfully completed trials with the Chandigarh Transport Undertaking. In addition to this, Goldstone-BYD conducted successful trials of its electric buses in Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Rajkot.
The company is to supply 25 electric buses to Himachal Pradesh Road Transport Corporation. The company has also received an order for six electric buses from the Brihan Mumbai Electricity Supply and Transport Undertaking (BEST).
BYD Auto Industry Company Ltd is the largest manufacturer in the world of pure electric vehicles, including electric buses. BYD Company Ltd, the parent company of YD Auto Industry Company Ltd, a public listed company, is one of the top 500 Chinese enterprises specialised in IT, automobile, new energy and light rail. Founded in February 1995, BYD started out with a rechargeable battery business, and entered the automobile industry in 2003. BYD is also a major player in batteries.