Himachal Pradesh is strengthening its electric public transport infrastructure as the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) develops charging facilities across the state. Charging stations are being established at 80 locations with an investment of ₹122 crore to support the expanding operation of electric buses on various routes.
Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri said charging stations have already been installed at 34 locations. Work at another 21 locations is expected to be completed within the next month, while the process of establishing charging facilities at the remaining 25 locations is also underway. The infrastructure is being developed in phases to support the growing electric bus network.
A total of 99 charging points are being established across the 80 locations. The facilities will be equipped with 180 kW fast CCS-2 chargers and are being set up at HRTC bus stands and workshops. The network is intended to provide reliable charging support and help ensure the smooth operation of electric buses on different routes.
The charging infrastructure is not limited to major cities and is being expanded across different parts of Himachal Pradesh. According to the Deputy Chief Minister, additional charging stations may also be established in the future wherever operational requirements arise, further strengthening the state’s electric mobility ecosystem.
HRTC currently has 297 electric buses operating on both short- and long-distance routes. The use of these buses is helping the corporation save approximately ₹15 to ₹16 per kilometre in diesel expenditure, contributing to lower operational costs and supporting a more economical public transport system.
An electric bus can generally travel around 180 kilometres on a single charge. However, HRTC is operating an electric bus on the approximately 270-kilometre Haroli–Chandigarh route on a single charge. Similarly, an electric bus operating on the approximately 250-kilometre Shimla–Chandigarh–Shimla route completes the journey with around 25 percent battery charge remaining. The expansion of charging infrastructure alongside the phased introduction of electric buses is expected to support Himachal Pradesh’s push towards a modern, economical and environment-friendly public transport system.
