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Eka and PMI have again secured electric bus tenders in India, outpacing established manufacturers Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland. The repeat success marks a shift in the competitive landscape for public transport electrification contracts. Mint reported the development, highlighting the growing presence of newer entrants in the Indian e-bus procurement market.

Why it matters: The result signals that newer OEMs are winning repeat public sector e-bus work, potentially reshaping supply chains and charging infrastructure partnerships. Procurement teams and CPOs should track which manufacturers are securing volume orders, as fleet rollouts will drive depot charging demand across Indian cities.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari told the Busworld India 2026 summit that fossil fuels have no future in India's public transport, urging manufacturers and fleet operators to shift to hydrogen, ethanol, CNG, LNG and electric powertrains. The ministry has launched pilot projects on 10 routes running hydrogen trucks and buses, with Tata Motors, Volvo, Ashok Leyland and Mahindra and Mahindra involved in hydrogen fuel trials. Gadkari cited rising air pollution and India's heavy dependence on fossil fuel imports as key drivers for the transition.

Why it matters: The ministerial statement signals a firm policy direction that will shape procurement specifications and fleet electrification tenders across India's public transport sector. Operators and charging infrastructure providers should prepare for accelerated demand as OEMs pivot away from diesel and petrol platforms in response to government pressure.

Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin inaugurated the upgraded Tondiarpet depot and flagged off 100 new low floor electric buses worth Rs 170 crore, completing Metropolitan Transport Corporation's Phase 1 induction of all 625 electric buses under a World Bank funded programme. OHM Global Mobility, a subsidiary of Ashok Leyland and Switch Mobility, supplied and operates the fleet under a performance based Gross Cost Contract model. Phase 2 has now been launched to add 750 new low floor electric buses at a total cost of Rs 1,337.50 crore, with OHM Global Mobility contracted to supply 500 of these units.

Why it matters: The completion of a 625 unit electric bus contract demonstrates proven delivery capacity by OHM Global Mobility and validates the performance based Gross Cost Contract model for large scale urban fleet electrification. The immediate launch of Phase 2 with 750 additional buses signals sustained procurement momentum in Chennai, creating a pipeline for depot infrastructure, charging equipment suppliers, and operations partners in one of India's major metropolitan transport markets.