Ashok Leyland electric bus completes trial run in Rohtang

Following the NGT's directive to run electric buses in ecologically fragile regions of Himachal Pradesh, Ashok Leyland has successfully completed the trial runs of its new electric bus between Manali and Rohtang.

Ashok Leyland has successfully completed the trial run of its new electric bus between Rohtang and Manali. The test runs are carried out following the National Green Tribunal’s ruling to run CNG and electric vehicles around the ecologically fragile belt of Manali-Rohtang region. Since setting up a gas pipeline at higher altitudes is a time consuming as well as a challenging task, the authorities have started trials of the electric buses first. The trial runs will continue till December 14, 2016.

The state government is planning to order at least 25 electric buses to commence its green drive before the start of next year’s tourist season. As of now, only two bus manufacturers have participated in the trial runs – Ashok Leyland and Gold Stone. The latter is a Chinese company, which tested its 24-seater electric bus last month on the Rohtang pass.

Ashok Leyland, meanwhile, brought a prototype version of its recently launched 31-seater Circuit electric bus. The Circuit bus has a range of 120 kilometeres, while its battery pack can be charged fully within 3 hours. The Circuit range of buses has been designed and developed entirely in India, and will be produced locally.

If everything goes as planned, Himachal Pradesh will become the first state in the country to run battery-operated buses on a hilly terrain. The transport authorities are expected to give the final go ahead to Ashok Leyland in the beginning of 2017.

Also read: Made-in-India Ashok Leyland Circuit electric bus unveiled