Pune: Diesel-run generator charges electric bus; transport body blames drivers
In a bid to go green, the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) had added electric buses to its fleet this year. However, as it turns out, it may have been all been a performance of eco-consciousness, simply seeking to grab laudatory headlines. Recently, a viral video showed a PMPML electric bus being charged by a diesel-guzzling generator. Here's more about the video.
Video shows diesel generator charging electric bus with PMPML logo
In the clip that has been doing the rounds online, an electric bus bearing PMPML's logo, is seen charging its batteries from a generator that runs on diesel instead of an electric charger. The location where the undated video was filmed remains unknown. This defeats the whole purpose of replacing diesel-run buses and underlines the lack of infrastructure to sustain Pune's electric bus fleet.
You can watch the video here
Diesel generators guzzle more fuel than diesel buses: PMPML driver
A PMPML bus driver, who chose to remain anonymous, told Pune Mirror, "Diesel buses use less diesel compared to the consumption of a generator required to charge batteries of the electric buses." Sujit Patwardhan of NGO Parisar, which promotes sustainable urban transport, said, "Before introducing e-buses, PMPML should have put the required infrastructure in place at all of its depots."
Absence of required infrastructure will affect e-bus efficiency: Patwardhan
Calling the move "shocking," Patwardhan added, "If they do not have such an infrastructure, it will affect the efficiency of these buses as well. Even if the idea is good, it will not be successful in the long run, which is a pity."
Bus ours; not being charged by us: PMPML
PMPML Public Relations Officer (PRO) Subhash Gaikwad told the Mirror that they are aware of the video, adding, "Though the bus is ours, it is not being charged by us." Gaikwad said, "It appears that the bus was traveling from Hyderabad, where it is manufactured, to Pune. On the way, the drivers might have charged the bus using the generator."
PMPML welcomed 75 electric buses into its fleet this year
Earlier in February, the transport body had welcomed 25 electric buses into its fleet, followed by 50 more such buses in August. The move was part of a smart city project and was sponsored by Pune Smart City Development Corporation Limited (PSCDCL). PSCDCL officials had said in August that they were looking to procure 150 buses in the first phase.
