JSW Group has indicated its intention to enter India’s fast-growing electric bus market after participating aggressively in a major government tender for 6,230 electric bus. Although the company did not secure any orders in the latest round, its participation has drawn attention across the industry, highlighting its plans to establish a presence in the commercial electric vehicle segment.
Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL) issued this tender for the procurement, supply, operation, and maintenance of 6230 electric buses in cities throughout India under PM E-DRIVE. Of the total, 2,900 buses are planned under the second phase of the PM E-DRIVE programme, while 3,330 buses are earmarked for Delhi. The remaining buses will be deployed in cities including Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad and Hyderabad.
According to industry reports, JSW Eco Mobility, the group’s electric mobility arm, submitted bids across all five packages in the tender. The company reportedly emerged as one of the lowest bidders in several city packages, placing it close to established players such as Tata Motors, Switch Mobility, Olectra Greentech and JBM Auto. While JSW ultimately did not win any contracts, its aggressive bidding strategy has been seen as a clear indication of its long-term plans in the electric bus segment.
The tender follows the Gross Cost Contract (GCC) model, under which selected operators are responsible not only for supplying buses but also for developing charging infrastructure, operating the fleets and maintaining them over the contract period. City transport agencies then pay operators based on the number of kilometres operated. This model has become the preferred approach for large-scale electric bus deployment in India.
Industry observers believe JSW’s participation is significant because the company has not yet commercially launched its first electric bus. Reports suggest that JSW Greentech is currently developing electric buses and trucks for the Indian market and has already obtained regulatory approvals for one of its upcoming bus models. Manufacturing facilities are also being developed as the group prepares for commercial production.
As a result of government incentivised programmes and city-based electric vehicle initiatives, the Indian electric vehicle industry has experienced significant growth in the last two years. The recent CESL tender represents the start of an ambitious plan to deploy 14,000+ electric buses under the PM E-DRIVE Project. Previous tenders were highly successful in terms of receipt of large orders from various manufacturers like PMI Electro Mobility, EKA Mobility etc.
While the tender may not have resulted in immediate orders for JSW Group, it has helped the company convey its intent to enter the electric mobility space. With the electrification of public transport gaining momentum across the country, industry stakeholders will be keenly watching how JSW positions itself for future electric bus opportunities.
Electrify your feed! Click here to join our Whatsapp group and to get the latest updates, expert insights, and innovations driving India’s energy storage revolution.
