The Delhi government is studying a proposal to introduce a fleet of battery-cum-solar powered buses, the prototype of which has been developed indigenously.

"Ahead of Delhi hosting the Commonwealth Games (in 2010), we have suggested that in addition to the metro system, we would need other cleaner modes of transport like the battery-cum-solar powered transport buses developed by Bangalore based Reva Electric Car company," Minister for Science and Technology Kapil Sibal said here Friday.

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) has offered to fund further research for developing a 20 and 32-seater bus prototype, as also three-wheelers, through the Technology Development Board.

Sibal said Delhi government officials would soon visit Reva's facilities to study the prototype developed for a smaller 16-seater air-conditioned bus.

As against the Rs. 1.6 million cost of a 20-seater CNG commuter bus currently operating in the capital, the air-conditioned battery-cum-solar bus would cost Rs.2.6 million.

"Considering the fact the proposed bus would be environment friendly, with very little expense on recharging the battery, low maintenance, running cost of Rs.1.20 per km, the social benefit of less pollution - this is an altogether workable proposition," said Sibal.

The minister said it is proposed to offer the Reva company Rs.160 million for developing and manufacturing 100 buses and another Rs.100 million for bus platforms which would double up as supply point for replacement charged batteries.

Further moves in this regard would depend on the Delhi government response to the proposal, which would also have to be cleared by the central government for funding by the Technology Development Board.

"We have suggested that these buses could be used between metro stations and in congested localities like Chandni Chowk," the minister said.

He, however, had no answer so to why Reva alone was being chosen to develop a battery-cum-solar bus prototype when there are several other companies like state-owned Bharat Heavy Electrical Ltd, which are already manufacturing and supplying electric buses in a few cities.

Reva has been able to quite successfully market the only two-seater electric car available commercially in the country and is planning to soon commercially launch the next generation electric vehicle REVA-NXG.

--Indo-Asian News Service