Maharashtra Sets 2037 Deadline for All-Electric State Bus Fleet

Maharashtra’s Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik informed the state’s Legislative Council on Monday that the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) aims to convert its entire fleet of around 22,000 buses to electric vehicles (EVs) by 2037. According to a report by The Indian Express, the move would make Maharashtra the first state in India to formally commit to a full transition of its government-run bus network to electric mobility.

At present, the state transport undertaking operates roughly 22,000 buses, of which around 800 are already electric. Sarnaik said the transition aligns with the broader vision of Narendra Modi and Devendra Fadnavis to move India towards widespread electric mobility by 2047. As part of that larger push, Maharashtra has advanced its own target, aiming to ensure that the entire MSRTC fleet runs on electricity by 2037.

The minister also noted that the state government has revised its earlier procurement strategy. Initially, authorities had planned to purchase about 5,000 diesel buses each year over the next five years. However, that plan has since been reconsidered. Sarnaik said that beyond the approximately 8,000 diesel buses currently in the procurement pipeline, all future additions to the MSRTC fleet will be electric. The government is also exploring a programme that would convert existing diesel buses into electric ones.

In addition to electrifying the fleet, the state is considering ways to make the supporting infrastructure more sustainable. Sarnaik said a proposal is being developed to power EV charging stations using solar energy, which would reduce dependence on conventional electricity and lower the environmental footprint of the network.

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The minister also highlighted provisions under Maharashtra’s EV Policy 2026, which offers several financial incentives to encourage EV adoption. These include tax exemptions and toll concessions. Currently, electric vehicles enjoy full toll waivers on major expressways and corridors such as the Mumbai–Pune Expressway, the Nagpur–Mumbai Samruddhi Mahamarg, and the Atal Setu (Mumbai Trans Harbour Link).

Alongside policy incentives, the state government is working to expand charging infrastructure across Maharashtra. Sarnaik said plans are underway to install EV charging stations every 25 kilometres along key highways. The government is also extending financial support for EV-related initiatives and promoting educational programmes focused on charging technologies.

Currently, Delhi operates the largest fleet of electric buses in India, with more than 4,200 vehicles in service. Under its EV policy roadmap, the Delhi government plans to increase this number to about 7,500 buses by the end of 2026 and to 14,000 by 2028.